Customer Reviews

Les Brown & His Band of Renown - Best of The Capitol Years

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

 

 

Let's face it, Capitol knew some "STUFF" about recording big bands in the fifties...Ray Anthony, Harry James, Benny Goodman,
....and if they could record Stan Kenton...well, they could record anyone! There are 25 (count 'em)tracks on this CD, all 24 bit digital re-masters from pristine ORIGINAL Capitol analog tapes; and while I am admitedly prejudice where Les Brown recordings are concerned...THIS IS A WINNER. The Brown band at this time had players like Dave Pell, Ray Sims, Don Fagerquist,
Dick Collins, Donn Trenner, Butch Stone, among others. MANY of
the included tracks have NEVER been on CD. Only draw back:NONE
of Les' concert material is included, like things from Capitol's
CONCERT MODERN or COMPOSER'S HOLIDAY...Buy this one if you like
melodic big band swing...Because...IT SWINGS!!!

I've listened to MANY Les Brown cds and LP's. If you want a good taste for Les Brown's music without buying lots of cds, this would be an excellent choice. Selections have been taken from the LPs "Dancers Choice",(my favorite) "Les Brown's in Town","Dance to the Bands", "Dance to South Pacific", and "College Classics". These are great arrangements for the most part and performed the way you would expect Les to have them perform. These tracks were originally recorded in the 50's but they sound great and solid on a cd. Ronnie Lang, Ray Sims, Dave Pell, Matt Utah are just a few of the heavyweights featured. Be warned however, only two Les Brown standards are included here - "Leap Frog" and "I've Got My Love....". If you want a cd with all of Les's famous standards, look for "The Les Brown Story".

Few swung as mightily as Les and no other band is quite so good at blowing brass testimonials to the late '40's. He's the ideal man to have up there on the stand for memories that keep insisting they won't go away.

Not too many could do it as well as Les Brown...and by "it" I mean swing for both dancers and listeners. Other reviewers have noted what a beautiful remastering was done for this collection and how Brown's arrangements seemed to hit just the right balance to bring back the importance a particular song had for the listener. There is little doubt that if you liked the songs, you will like how Les Brown's arrangements treat them.
For those who want more detail, you will be pleased with how the reed and brass sections do more than just play the melody. The 1950s were a tough time to keep a big band going. Swing no longer was the dominant popular music. Brown found a way to keep it fresh for those chose to sit back and listen to selections like Harlem Nocturne and Frenesi or those who wanted to be moving on the dance floor. Having 25 songs on this disc makes it a real bargain and a great introduction to a fine band.

that I've heard. Les Brown's original "Sentimental Journey" 78 album of the '40s was the first album I owned at a very tender age. Although nothing will compare to the rendition of the title tune sung by Doris Day, let's face it, the sound technically in the '50s was much improved, particularly with the advent of stereo. I wish I could have that original set instead of the mixtures which have since proliferated the market.

That said, this is certainly one of the finest compilations anywhere that I've encountered. I believe it comprises the best of the Les Brown sound that can be found! Besides the music itself, the technical reproduction is outstanding! I recently reviewed the Palladium album of 1953 (Coral originally) and this is even better! One of the salient points of any compilation is the lack of repetition with other offerings. such as the case with this one.......if you acquire the "Live At The Palladium" cd only "Invitation" and "Midnight Sun" are on both albums.

A case in point, Capitol should be commended for having signed to contract Ray Anthony, Les Brown, Harry James, Woody Herman, Billy May and Stan Kenton in a risky venture since it was the end of the big band era. In 1956 this led to a Capitol album titled "Dance To The Bands" which has never been re-released in entirety. The Les Brown component of that album appears here....and nowhere else: "On The Alamo", "Lover", and "Tangerine". There are other selections on this cd which are no longer in print such as "Perdido", "Shine On Harvest Moon" and "Goodnight Sweetheart".

This is a totally great big band compilation, particularly of Les Brown, that you will enjoy owning. My recommendation would be to also buy "Live At The Palladium" as well. Truly, you will then own a great representation of the Les Brown sound, a very danceable yet swinging band.

All tracks are never boring. A marvellous sound and the music, well known by everybody, played by an extraordinary orchestra. Everyone should have this one in his/her collection.

As my mom used to always say about bands in the fifties. Too brassy. Meaning too many trumpets and not enough clarinet and mellow trombone. These recordings are made during the fifties and remind me of the background music of Sinatra or the intro to the Jackie Gleason show. Not what I would consider the swing era. If you like that sort of thing then go for it.