Customer Reviews

Home in Pasadena: Very Best of

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For over 30 years, this British band, founded by (now-retired) sousaphonist John Arthy, has been beatin' back hot jazz and tin pan alley tunes from the '20s and '30s all over the British Isles and abroad. (They even ventured into swing a bit with some '40s tunes once, but to lesser success.) They use authentic period arrangements and they're TIGHT, I'll tell ya'. As someone once described it when I played some of their material, "It's like listening to old 78s without the surface noise and scratches." That's only part of it. In addition, with the use of modern recording technology, the sound is as I would imagine it might be if I were standing ringside in a dance hall next to my sainted flapper grandma. Just tremendous. This compilation gives a good overview of those 30 years that the ensemble has been serving up this treat, but in fact, ANY of their albums are worth checking out if you like true-to-the recipe hot jazz, or if you just like feel-good music. It's uplifting and you can't help but move with it. I can only imagine what it must have been like to have lived in that period of such rapid acceleration. Listening to these sides certainly will take you at least partway there!

This is an excellent album from an excellent band. Superb value, toe tapping tunes, a great way to relax and enjoy the magic of swing. I highly recommend this album and any pasadena roof orchestra albums, and you will too after listening to this CD

The 2 CDs have all the nice selection of songs. This is really the very best of the Pasadena Roof Orchestra.