Customer Reviews

Candlelight Miller

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

 

 

This is a great disappointment for anyone looking for the full Miller sound. The reproduction has a tinny sound. Must of the selections have the same beat so the CD runs together and is laced with poor vocals.

I guess this will be a contrarian view, since this CD has been criticized so thoroughly. I found the sound warm and excellently remastered. It is true that muting the treble pretty drastically usually helps pre-stereo recordings such as these. The program is a clever one, in this compilation we get a quieter GM, just as one might be led to expect. I really enjoy this CD. I haven't heard the Essential Glenn Miller, but I take it the sound on that release beats Candlelight Miller, but this is 40's recording technology we're talking about here. When its decent, as it is here, you get your money's worth. If the Chattanooga Choo-choo just is too much for your evening, this could be the Miller disc you need.

Very poor sound on this disc mars the fine music. The set called "The Essential Glenn Miller" has most of these selections with superior sound and is a much better buy.

This is a marvelous collection of ballads, recorded between April of 1939, and July of 1942, with Miller's civilian band. Some consider Miller's Army Air Force band, which he started in October of 1942, superior to the one heard on this disc (and from the CDs I have listened to, the sound quality is a little better on the later recordings), but nevertheless, this is fabulous music, romantic, melodic, and part of America's musical history.

There are three instrumentals: "Moonlight Serenade", which was composed by Miller and became his signature piece; "Danny Boy", and an interesting arrangement of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue", which was the last recording this band was to do, on 7/16/42.
The vocals by Ray Eberle are excellent, with his clear voice, and straightforward "on tempo" interpretations. I especially like four tracks where he is joined by the Modernaires, a vocal group with smooth harmonies and a great sound: "You Stepped Out of a Dream", my favorite track on the CD "I Guess I'll Have to Dream the Rest", "Moonlight Cocktail", and "Serenade in Blue".
One of the band's last recordings, "Moonlight Becomes You", features Skip Nelson on lead vocal with the Modernaires. This civilian band gave its final concert on September 27, 1942.

The sound: Though some remastering has been done, there is an underlying crackle throughout, giving the CD a real "78s from the attic" sound, which has a charm of its own, taking us back to another era.
The insert booklet has in-depth liner notes that make fascinating reading by author Will Friedwald, and detailed recording info. Total time is 56'20.

I've given it as a gift many times. An opportunity to enjoy Ray Eberle and the Miller aggregation at its romantic best. I'm not sure why so many people find the sound wanting. This is the way the original recordings sounded, only clearer.

A great disc for fans of the mellow Miller sound and the big band crooner, Ray Eberle. Fourteen out of the eighteen numbers are fronted by the underrated Mr. Eberle, showing off why he was voted #1 vocalist in the early 1940's, even beating out Frank Sinatra. This disc has good "realistic" sound quality, and a great selection of mellow classics. Except for one, "Moonlight Becomes You" which is sung by Skip Nelson. Yikes!!! Blow your nose before you sing man! Well let's just say, he's no Ray. Anyway, why can't these compilations of old 78's have a few more seconds between them? Essentially we have a bunch of singles all crammed together, so why not let them have some breathing room. As I recall, the UK Beatles albums from 1963-1966 had a seven second break between songs. I loved it! It was like giving each song it's own spotlight. Oh, the days of one song at a time.