The Golden Age of American Sweet Bands: Happy Days Are Here Again [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] [Box set, Import]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 30, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Jasmine Music
• ASIN: B00006EXF1
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,583 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Let's Dance At The Make-Believe Ballroom C. Barnet

2. Happy Days Are Here Again B. Selvin

3. Puttin' On The Ritz L. Reisman

4. Bye Bye Blues B. Lown

5. Lonesome Lover I. Jones

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Young And Healthy F. Waring

2. You've Got Me Crying Again I. Jones

3. It Isn't Fair D. Himber

4. Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Love A. Weeks

5. Easter Parade L. Reisman

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Just One Of Those Things R. Himber

2. I'd Rather Listen To Your Eyes P. Harris

3. Lullaby Of Broadway Little Jack Little

4. Now You've Got Me Doing It F. Martin

5. I've Got A Feelin' You're Foolin' E. Duchin

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Rosalie L. Reisman

2. Head Over Heels L. Gluskin

3. Slumming On Park Avenue R. Noble

4. Boo-Hoo G. Lombardo

5. On A Little Dream Ranch R. Morgan

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

The so-called Great Swing Band Era is generally considered to have started in 1935 when Benny Goodman, playing at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles on August 21 and tiring of what he described as 'mundane' dance music, moved his band into high gear and gave out with some Fletcher Henderson arrangements. Quoting saxophonist Hymie Schertzer, "The place exploded." and Goodman was proclaimed 'King of Swing'. But back in the Twenties there were great bands that played good swingy numbers, bands like those of Whiteman, Goldkette, Waring, Weems, Olsen and Lopez (to name but a few), although the 'swing' wasn't quite the same. The rhythm could often seem a little jerky and sometimes rather on the frantic side. Repertoires were laced with novelty tunes which were much in demand. But who cared? It was the 'Jazz Age', the 'Flapper Era' (take your pick) and everyone was hell-bent on having a good time, making whoopee.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A DECADE OF SWEET MUSIC, January 11, 2011

By 

Barry McCanna (Normandy, France) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Golden Age of American Sweet Bands: Happy Days Are Here Again [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] (Audio CD)

This compilation presents the thirties, neatly packaged in four segments, namely 1929 to 1933, 1933 to 1935, 1935 to 1937, and 1937 to 1940. The hottest number is also the earliest, namely Paul Tremaine's "Aristocratic Stomp", which merits an entry in Rust's Jazz Records, but that is something of an exception. Otherwise, the music complies with what you'd expect from the title, and within that genre covers a wide range of styles, which is to be applauded. The best bands are represented here in the form of Ben Selvin, Charlie Barnet, Isham Jones, Gus Arnheim, and Anson Weeks, and vocalists Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Lee Wiley, Dinah Shore, Bea Wain and Al Bowlly were no slouches. Choice of material is also first-rate, and many of the songs have become classics. So there is much to enjoy here, even if a few of the tracks are too saccharine for some tastes.

If this set appeals to you, check out also "Spin a Little Web of Dreams: The Golden Age of American Dance Bands".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful collection of dance music from the 1920s, '30s and '40s, March 24, 2010

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Golden Age of American Sweet Bands: Happy Days Are Here Again [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] (Audio CD)

Various Artists
"The Golden Age of American Sweet Bands: Happy Days Are Here Again"
(Jasmine Records, 2002)
-------------------------------------------------------------
A delightful 4-CD set of deliciously antique "sweet band" dance music from the 1920s, '30s and '40s... Generally less punchy than the swing bands, the sweet-bands played pure dance music, with sentimental lyrics (and more than a few novelty tunes)... If you like this brand of nostalgia, this is a great collection... Highly recommended. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Music Guide)

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly delightful, March 28, 2011

By 

Fitzherbert Farnsworth "Fitz" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Golden Age of American Sweet Bands: Happy Days Are Here Again [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] (Audio CD)

If you enjoy melodious, rythymic, danceable tunes filled wtih joy, humour, romance and love of life played by the best orchestras of the time and sung by REAL singers who could enunciate and whose voices were the quiddity of melifluous sonority ! you will really covet this CD. ....Or if you are simply repulsed by much of what passes for popular "music" today, you will find this a refreshing oasis of civilized beauty! From the liner notes you will learn much about the provenance of these musical outfits and singers.

Also, if you are a classic motion picture enthusiast, you will be pleasantly surprised to find some tunes from Busby Berkely musicals such as "Sitting on a Backyard Fence" from "42nd Street" "Lullaby of Broadway" and "Honeymoon Hotel". Also, a great treat was a track by Charles Buddy Rogers ( who later married Mary Pickford) and his band. He actually sings! There are several tracks from the immensely popular Eddy Duchin as well. Dinah Shore sings one or two ... and even Clifton Webb delights with his rendition of "Easter Parade".


The sound quality is superb. I had no problems with it.

I didn't love every single track, but with four CDs, what can you expect. Overall, this set was an absolute delight! and I heartily recommend it for those who love the '30's, fun well- executed music, or simply want to celebrate life!