Customer Reviews

In the Christmas Mood

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

 

 

I bought this boxed set as a three-cassette package about 10 years ago, and a couple of weeks later when I saw the CD boxed set, I bought that, too.

Every year at Christmas, I play these CDs at home and on my cassette player in my old car. They really make the holiday season for me, reminding me of days long ago when, as a boy, we listened to music like this on the radio on cold December evenings.

No, these recordings were not made by the original Glenn Miller Orchestra but by recording studio bands comprised of members and vocalists from the Glenn Miller Orchestra about a dozen years ago.

If you have heard Larry O'Brien and The Glenn Miller Orchestra anytime during the past two decades he has been leading it, you know that this Glenn Miller Orchestra is first-rate. And that is who you hear on these three CDs.

As someone who has been collecting Glenn Miller's music for the past half century, I strongly recommend this boxed set of Christmas music in the Miller Mood. Order it today!

George Spink
Tuxedo Junction -- http://www.tuxjunction.net
The Swing Era -- http://swingera.net

I've run a Big Band/Swing webcast station for over three years now, and have heard just about every song Glenn Miller played. This CD (and the present day band that plays the tunes) just doesn't have the spark that the originals did. First off, yes, this is the present-day reconstituted Glenn Miller Orchestra, run by his heirs. This isn't recordings of the original band from the 40s. While the selections are technically sound, the band is really just another band playing the tunes, lacking the fire of the great band that was at the forefront of music in the Swing Era. Their delivery is more post-swing, post lounge, play it safe, "middle of the road" modern. While a nice CD, I guess, I was expecting much more.

Glenn Miller has displayed his best work ever. If you liked "In the Mood", you'll love this 3 box set of Glenn Miller's christmas arrangments. He has taken classic christmas songs and composed them in excellent big band arrangments. The music will get you in the christmas mood before the first song is over. With terrific instrument solos and harmonies this is the christmas album to put into your selection.

I really enjoy these recordings and definitely think they are worth having if you enjoy the Big Band Sound. It should be noted, however, for the unitiated, that Glenn Miller himself, who died during World War II, did not participate in these recordings. As with many legendary performers of his genre, the "Glenn Miller Orchestra" lives on, even when the legendary leader does not. That said, I still LOVE listening to the recordings because they make me think of the music of Glenn Miller, and I think fans of Big Band will enjoy these recordings.

Whatever I paid for this group of three stereo CDs by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, it wasn't enough.

They were produced by LaserLight Digital but, having been arranged and recorded more than twenty years after Glenn Miller gave his life as an Army major during World War II, they were recorded in stereo with modern techniques.

Any one of the the three discs can stand alone as a great "Big Band" (no, correction, "Glenn Miller Band") album, but you will want to put all three of them in your CD changer for hours of continuous entertainment.

Happy Holidays

I tend to like more Perry Como, Burl Ives, and of course Bing Crosby. I have been listen to Big band for just about a year and this was my first Christmas CD. As I listen to it I enjoy it more every time. Laser Light is a great company for Budget Music and would recomend the label highly. I orinally gave this only 3 stars but changed it to 4.

The only thing missing on this collection is the late, great Glenn Miller. Despite that, this is a very authentic sounding effort from original members of the Glenn Miller band. "Sleigh Ride" opens this collection. "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is reminiscent of "Pennsylvania 6-5000" as "Aud Lang Syne" is reminiscent of "American Patrol". The Yuletide melodies are fun to listen to and there's an original composition "In the Christmas Mood". Then of course, there are selections from Tchaikowsky's "The Nutcracker". These are unpretentious and though improvised, respect the original spirit. Considering that most single CD's go for a higher price than this gem, this is a bargain!