Customer Reviews

In the Christmas Mood

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a fantastic CD. I have always loved Christmas music, but most of the compilations give the feel of having been thrown together just to make a little money off of a glorious holiday. However, when I heard this one, I knew it was going into my CD player and not coming out for the next two months. The swing harmonies and sound enhance the great old tunes and even the overplayed "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" gets a fresh facelift. Any fan of swing and Christmas owes it to themselves to get this!

This CD album became volume 1 of a 3-volume box set. It was recorded by the "Glenn Miller Orchestra" which inherited the authentic "Glenn Miller" style of arrangement, orchestration, dynamics and vocal style. The Orchestra obviously had a lot of fun doing it using "standard" Christmas melodies. (They reveal in the signature "In the Christmas Mood" number that they still have a hankering for the Andrews sisters.)

Glenn Miller himself, who had been promoted to a major in the Army, died in a plane accident during World War II on the way to entertaining the troops in Europe but not before he imprinted his own style on his own band during the ongoing "Big Band" era.

"In the Christmas Mood", inspired by the GM band's most well-known and well-known work, "In the Mood", but drawing on the entire GM repertoire is therefore part tribute, part nostagia and pure entertainment. You will enjoy this CD and the other two in the box set - share it with your kids, your friends, your associates during Christmas parties and all during the season.

I have explored the GM websites and read the history. My father played GM and Tommy Dorsey when I was but a toddler.

After you buy "In the Christmas Mood, vol. 1" then go to the other two (warning: go for the box set now - you will want it later after you try this one).

I'm not a swing or Glen Miller afficionodo, but I really enjoy this cd. The songs have on old time feel, but one that works for me because of it's swing/big band roots. I was suprised to find a few tracks with vocals, but they don't detract fornm the overall feel of the cd and actually provide a nice mix to the set. The final song, "In The Christmas Mood" is an original which nicely sums up the entire project. I use this and it's sister albums (In The Christmas Mood II and The Glen Miller Nuctcracker) as background music at partes and it never fails to get people festive and dancing around the room. My only complaint would be that running at 40:41, it seems the party ends too soon. But I guess that's more of a compliment than a complaint isn't it?

The "Chicago Swing Fan" who complained below may do well to remember that Glenn Miller's never really was a swing band. Miller was foremost a businessman, and his orchestra played commercial dance music. Good dance music? Good big band music? Yes, I think so, but in terms of swing, he didn't hold a candle to Benny Goodman in his prime. Having said that, don't expect hot, jazzy swing from this CD. If you like the old Miller records, you'll love this CD. It was recorded sometime around 1990 by the current band going under the Miller name, and all in all, represents a tasty selection of holiday goodies in authentic Miller style. Occasionally, some of the arrangements sound bit more "modern" than anything Miller would have played in his lifetime, but the general feeling is there. The disc is well-recorded and has great sound. It's quite pleasant and makes a great accompaniment for decorating the tree, Christmas parties, driving around town, sipping egg nog--just about anything! When my original copy of this broke several years ago (yes, it shattered... don't ask how!) I quickly ordered another copy. This CD has become one of my favorite holiday recordings. And for the price, you can't go wrong. Recommended.

For any that love holiday music, and especially for those that like Orchestra music such as the great Glenn Miller, this is the CD for you. All the great holiday tunes with the special and wornderful touch of swing music by the greatest orchestra. Be sure to include in your purchase...or at least consider them for next time...In the Christmas Mood 2 and In the Nutcracker mood; they are just as wonderful.

Anyone who loves Glenn Miller will love this CD. It really puts you in the Christmas Mood!!

Not THE Glenn Miller but allegedly some of the orignal band members. This is a pleasant passable effort with no surprises. Adequate background mix for a party or dinner. The band is capable.

I have "In the Christmas Mood" Vols.1 and 2 and they are the best Christmas recordings in my collection. The current Glenn Miller Orch. owes it's huge success to Larry O'Brien who has been it's director for many years. The band is constantly touring the U.S. and even has an annual engagement in Japan and other parts of the world. In January 1992 they recorded an album called "Here We Go Again" (Ranwood RDS 1007). The arrangements follow Glenn Miller's original and the trombone solos by Larry O'Brien are spell binding. He follows Tommy Dorsey's style but does it much better than Tommy simply because he is a perfectionist. Surely Glenn would be very proud and thankful knowing his band is still #1.

Like the rest of these limp "Glenn Miller" albums recorded 40 years after he died this is a lame take on "swing" music. It's well recorded but nothing like anything he did when he was alive. Call it "Glenn Miller lite", or swing without syncopation. Similar to a Lawrence Welk approach to "swing music" albeit more lively. Either way, a misrepresentation of swing music. Pretty dreadful if you are a true swing fan, but lots of folks seem to enjoy this watered down pablum.