Customer Reviews

Best of Big Bands

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A must for anyone interested in "Big Band" perfection. My father introduced Les & Larry music to me 30 years ago. A moving reunion. A CD that brings back memories for many. Elgart "style" is a true original. Add this disc to your collection, you won't regret it. Smoooooth!

first; I never thought I'd be reviewing anything but....I just had to comment about Elgart. Back in the late 50's, & early 60's, I toured with Ralph Marterie. He sent two bands on the road and I played 10 cities. We finished a job in Cincinnati's Moonlight Gardens and I stayed back to catch Elgart. WOW.....we couldn't compete. The arrangements, instrumentality, and Band presence could not be followed by the likes of us. I've been a fan ever since, and have worn out two C.D.'s. One question however, what did he (Les Elgart), have against piano players?

I enjoyed hearing the big band hits in "Elgart Style" on this excellently compiled CD! The Elgart brothers were unique in their sound and remain classic today. Buy this one, you won't be disappointed!

Brothers Les Elgart and Larry Elgart, a pair of talented bandleaders who started their musical careers in the Forties, were two of my late father's favorite musicians in the genre of Dance Band and Big Band, so I dedicate this review to my late father on this special day, Father's Day. Having greatly influenced by the kind of music that he listened to, I've learned to appreciate the musical artistry of Les Elgart (trumpet) and Larry Elgart (sax).

This music will sure to take the listeners back in time when the Big Band sound was dominating the airwaves - that era when the big names in music were Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Harry James, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Woody Herman and the like. This is a collection of twenty standard tunes done in such smooth, simple yet full of charms interpretations with classic Big Band arrangements that my late parents loved to listen to. It has a feel of nostalgia and it brings flashback of days gone by with memories of my late parents particularly my father - a great one whose exquisite musical tastes introduced my young ears to many different kinds of music that I have been enjoying all these years. (A myriad thanks to you, Papa, I love you more than you'll ever know).

This recording promises a nostalgic yet delightful listening experience. You'll love it in its entirety. To me, listening to it is like a sentimental stroll down memory lane. My favorites from this collection include "So Rare," "Sentimental Journey," "You Made Me Love You," "The Continental" "Poinciana," "Green Eyes," "Little Brown Jug," "A String of Pearls" and "My Heart Belongs To Daddy."

With my hearfelt recommendation to listeners who love the pristine and smooth sound of a Big Band from the talented Elgart brothers, Les and Larry. For more of their beautiful music, please check these out: Les & Larry Elgart/Les Elgart on Tour, The Band With That Sound/Designs for Dancing, The Elgart Touch/For Dancers Also and Sophisticated Swing/Just One More Dance.

"Average fathers have patience. Good fathers have more patience. Great fathers have an ocean of patience." ~ Reed Markham ~

This is a great CD! The first 12 tracks are from the 1964 Les & Larry Elgart LP, "Command Performance". Tracks 13-16 and track 19 are from Les & Larry's 1965 LP called, "The New Elgart Touch". "The Continental" is from Les Elgart's 1961 LP "It's De-lovely" For Dancing And Listening", and "Cherokee" and "Poinciana" are from Les Elgart's 1959 LP, "The Great Sound Of Les Elgart". Most of these tracks were nearly impossible to find on CD prior to this compilation. Put it in and listen to the precision!

the elgart sound to me brings back the sound of the big bands of the 40's but with the elgart special sound............eric chase