Customer Reviews

Best of Big Bands

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every track is a winner on this Kyser compilation. Some may quibble over the omission of some Kyser favorites ("Thinking of You, "Three Little Fishes," "Playmates"), but for the most part the music is highly enjoyable and sure to put a smile on your face, as Kyser's music was intended to do. The liner notes are well-written and the fidelity is outstanding. A good introduction to the Kay Kyser Orchestra for those who are new to his music.

This collection was one of, if not the first 'Best of' Kay Kyser CDs, so for that reason i give it a good score. There are dozens of songs equal or better from Kay, Ginny, Harry, Sully Ish, Georgia and Mike Douglas. I certainly wouldn't consider the inclusion of THAT'S FOR ME, BELL BOTTOM TROUSERS or HUGGIN' AND CHALKIN'as representing their best work, nor their most popular. I notice they don't include some of their biggest hits, such as 3 LITTLE FISHES or PLAYMATES or PUSHIN' SAND, but I guess when you had 35 top tens one must leave something out! If one is just being introduced to this great band of great people (I know, I've met many of them over the years)this collection serves its purpose. Try A STRICT EDUCATION IN MUSIC. It's 50 Kyser songs for about the same price!

I love his arrangement of "Slow Boat to China"!!!! The best I've heard!!

I bought this for my Mother. My Dad used to sing "The Old Lamplighter" to her. The music helped me share what the war times were like with my Mother. We laughed and smiled all the way through. It meant the world to her.

Only 16 titles! And four of them are from Kyser's corny period, while two other items are questionable, so that leaves only ten titles that have reasonably stood the test of time. But these are wonderful! The great versions of "Slow Boat to China" and "Old Lamplighter" are real classics; biggest surprise is the take off on Popeye in "Bell Bottom Trousers"; not only is it funny, but there is a ride out to end all ride outs, sporting tenorist Herbie Haymer in a roaring solo, against a band that builds and builds (wailing trombones and all). Great!