Customer Reviews

Essential Glenn Miller

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, don't confuse this 2005 release with the unrelated and vastly inferior 2006 release of the same title. This 2005 album offers more numbers and the best sound I've heard yet on a GM remastered compliation.

I've been buying GM albums since the late 1960s, starting with a vinyl LP compilation that "enhanced" each track with synthesized "stereo" (awful), so I've experienced the steady improvements in sound quality as remastering technology has become more sophisticated. The quality of the sound on this album is a revelation. Except for being in mono, the tracks sound much more recent than 1939-1944. And although the original recordings were made under all kinds of conditions with varying quality of equipment, the remastering produces a consistent sound quality across all tracks. I would dare say that these recordings probably sound even better than fresh-out-of-the-package 78s did back in Miller's heyday, except perhaps on the very best phonographs.

Few people still living today heard GM in person, and the number is rapidly dwindling. RCA's willingness to put this kind of investment into remastering a collection of his music shows that new audiences continue to discover and appreciate that distinctive GM sound.

This is probably the best intro CD to Glenn Miller. It is missing some great songs including "Sunrise Serenade" and "Anvil Chorus", which are two of my favourites. For individuals concerned with the sound quality; there are some very unnatural anomalies created due to trying to eliminate the clicks and pops. The anomalies are often very non-musical and distracting. There is a OOP 3 CD set titled "The Popular Recordings (1938-1942)" that I keep going back to as the most natural sounding recordings I have of Glenn. If timbre and tonality matter to you, the 3 CD set may suit your tastes better; but this CD set has more prominent clicks and pops (because they are there and they cannot go away cleanly regardless of modern technology). Also to note, the material covered by the 3 CD set really has a far greater breadth of material.

I own a number Glenn Miller sets like The Complete Recordings (13 CD`s), The Popular Recordings (3 CD's), Essential Glenn Miller (1995), etc.

So, I always enjoy looking over the latest compilation of the great Glenn Miller Orchestra (1938/1942) which seem to be released every few months from somewhere in the world. There is always a number of big hits that are always included (In The Mood, Little Brown Jug, A String of Pearls, Kalamazoo, etc.) and there's always a few songs that are kind of new to the "best of" circuit. Which brings me to the latest, most up-to-date compilation...The Essential Glenn Miller, not to be confused with Essential Glenn Miller from `95.

The sound quality is excellent and perhaps a hair better than the old "Essential" Glenn Miller released in 1995. I can think of a number of great Miller songs that could have made this collection even better. When looking over the running order, I couldn't believe there was NO "Perfidia", NO "Sunrise Serenade". These two songs are on EVERY great Miller collection over the years. I hate to think that new fans might miss out on these great tunes. The 1943/44 material was a nice touch. Giving a better balance to the Miller catalog. Bottom line: Look for the 4 disc Proper Box Set.

Finally, 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.

To most people the words "big band" means Glenn Miller (1901-1944.) Born in Iowa, Miller showed an early interest in music and dropped out the University of Colorado to pursue his dream of becoming a professional musician. As it happened, the dream was too small for the man: by the time of his death his was easily the best known popular musician in the world, working with a host of major musicians to create a unique, tightly harmonic sound that often involved mingling saxophones with the brass section. Not everyone was impressed, and it is true there is a certain "safeness" in Miller's mainstream swing, especially when compared with the likes of Benny Goodman and other jazz masters--but Miller frequently noted that he wanted a dance band, not a jazz band, and while he may not have created swing, he damn sure defined for an entire generation. From about 1938 to his untimely death in 1942, Glenn Miller and his orchestra played to packed houses, his records dominated the charts, and he was the first musician to receive a Gold Record. At the time of his death he was arguably the best known popular musician in the world, and while times and tastes have changed, but Miller is still known, still played, and still beloved by legions of fans the world over.

THE ESSENTIAL GLENN MILLER--well, like all collections you can argue over what should have been included and excluded. I personally feel that several selections are distinctly minor and I greatly regret the exclusion of "Sunrise Serenade." That said, however, the double CD THE ESSENTIAL GLENN MILLER is easily one of the best Miller anthologies going. The great thing about it is not so much the selection (some are indeed superior in terms of selection) as it is the absolutely marvelous remastering. Every few years some manufacturer somewhere puts out a Miller CD, and the results are usually pretty dire. Not so here. Every instrument shines clear and the harmonies are dazzlingly clear, as pristine as the moment they were first recorded. It's the best remastering of a Miller collection I have encountered to date. Strongly recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

I am new to big band music, and I think this is a great collection of Glenn Miller. This album has great sound quality and a good overall track selection.

Well, I have to admit that I'm not a professional jazz listener. Recently I decided to try listening to jazz and bought this album since I was familar with some of the songs. And I absolutely loved it. This music makes you feel good and think good. Besides it makes you happy. (and try a couple of dance moves when you are alone) I absolutely recommend it...

Although Glenn Miller was before my time, his music is timeless, and I love listening to this CD, especially In The Mood and Moonlight Serenade. This is a very good collection of his hits and priced right at Amazon!

THe music is fantastic - i was disappointed as i paid for overntih delivery to have it for a birthday and it took 2 days

I bought this for my mom, she really enjoyed the old tunes. The seller delivered as promised.

Classic big band sound. You forget how many hits he had. The sound of WWII.