I Had the Craziest Dream: The Music of Harry Warren

David Berger Octet (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Such Sweet Thunder
• ASIN: B0018YIVOY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #279,254 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

David Berger, in his sixth release on Such Sweet Thunder, celebrates the music of composer Harry Warren with joy, insight, and wit comparable to that of his Ellington elaboration, The Harlem Nutcracker. His octet features two of today's great saxophonists, Harry Allen and Joe Temperley, along with six members of his critically acclaimed Sultans of Swing big band.

Harry Warren, born Salvatore Guaragna in 1893 in Brooklyn, N.Y., was the first major songwriter to write primarily for the movies. He won Oscars® at Warner Bros., Fox, and MGM. Warren had more hits and won more Academy Awards® than great contemporaries such as Irving Berlin, but it was his music, and the movies they were in, that became famous. The octet format allows Berger to celebrate Warren melodies both as ensemble pieces and as vehicles for his soloists - Harry Allen's tour de force on You'll Never Know, Joe Temperley's mordant, erudite The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams, trombonist Marshall Gilkes on the haunting, seldom heard Summer Night, and nine more. This album is a must for anyone who loves the classic American songbook.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Album for Real Jazz Lovers, July 23, 2008

By 

Jeffrey L. Turner (Arlington, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Had the Craziest Dream: The Music of Harry Warren (Audio CD)

This is terrific music for people who enjoy albums, not just songs or samples. Elegantly recorded and mastered, the album is a reminder about how great music can sound when done right. These guys really know how to play. Young bassist Yasushi Nakamura helps keep the old masters grooving to a solid, deeply lyrical beat. Harry Allen contributes not one, but two "Body and Soul" tenor experiences (on You'll Never Know and Old Cowhand). The album builds towards a grand finale of richly textured music.

As a CD, it sounds great. Let's hope they bring it to market as an LP. For folks with a high-end stereo system, it will be a really spectacular listening experience. And when it happens, be sure to crank it up.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Writing, as usual!, November 9, 2008

By 

John C. Whitney - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Had the Craziest Dream: The Music of Harry Warren (Audio CD)

Berger supplies another great CD with creative scoring and wonderful players. The improvisation is especially superior. With the many close voicings, I found the intonation to be somewhat lacking in a few spots, but it was wonderful to hear Warren's music treated with such respect and creativity.

5.0 out of 5 stars Who was Harry Warren? Find out!, September 16, 2008

By 

JayJee.1964 (Rockville, MD) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Had the Craziest Dream: The Music of Harry Warren (Audio CD)

This is a very enjoyable recording of standards by a composer most people, even jazz fans, probably didn't realize is behind some of the best tunes in the American songbook. The David Berger Octet is tight and nimble in this well-engineered collection and puts something special into each track. Let's hope for a follow-up release with more Harry Warren.