Lost Recordings (RCA)

Glenn Miller | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 13, 1996)
• Original Release Date: August 13, 1996
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003FYW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #185,182 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. In the Mood

2. Stardust

3. Song of the Volga Boatmen

4. Long Ago (And Far Away)

5. Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?

6. Great Day

7. American Patrol

8. Summertime

9. Tuxedo Junction

10. Begin the Beguine

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Long Ago (And Far Away)

2. Now I Know

3. Mary's a Grand Old Name

4. Caribbean Clipper

5. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

6. Little Brown Jug

7. Where or When

8. Cow Cow Boogie

9. Holiday for Strings

10. Tail-End Charlie

See all 19 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best "Glenn Miller" out there., January 14, 2000

By 

5% Man (Keller, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lost Recordings (Audio CD)

This is excellence. One of the great band leaders, with all the resources that the US Army Air Corp could bring to bare, broadcasting and (Thanks be to God) recording from the Abbie Road studios in London. The orchestration includes a full complement of strings and the vocals are by some of the greats of the era, including Dinah Shore. Interspersed is commentary (Propoganda in its best form) by Glenn himself and Ilse Weinberger, whoever she was. These recordings are made from the masters and are the best "originals" I've heard from the era. This set is also great because it is not the same 12 -15 songs that everyone associates with Miller. To be sure some of them are in here, but I'd be willing to bet that you'll agree even the "standards" are better recordings than the ones you're used to hearing. There are also unexpected treats like "Poinciana" and a unique arrangement of "Begin the Beguine", with some nifty string parts. In some circles, Miller takes a bum rap for being too commercial. I don't if this fits the bill for that criticism. If it does, I can understand why he was so commercially successful. He proves his excellent taste for arranging and his ability to make good music here. Well, I could go on but why? You could be listening for yourself. BUY IT! You'll thank me later. But you won't need to. The smile on your face will be enough.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GET THE ENGLAND PRESSING!, July 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Lost Recordings (RCA) (Audio CD)

This US pressing is good, but inferior to the English one, which has many additional songs, and several vocals with Dinah Shore. The liner notes even include a letter saying that the recording of "Stardust" with Glenn and Dinah is "propoganda."! Do yourself a favor and search for the English version.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best AAF band recordings available, March 19, 2000

By 

Jeffrey J. Karpinski (King of Prussia, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lost Recordings (RCA) (Audio CD)

This set is one of a pair of AAF gems released during the mid '90s. Because most of the sides were made at the famous Abbey Road studios, the fidelity is higher than most of the other AAF releases on the market. The recordings showcase much of the AAF Band's breadth, with many older Miller standards as well as the richer concert sound of the full orchestra with its 21 strings. The only thing missing is an example of the strings-only arrangements found on the companion "Secret Broadcasts". It's also interesting to hear the German-language patter and vocals used as part of the Allies' propaganda effort. I only have 2 minor grumbles: first, unlike the UK version, the US release leaves out the 4 long-lost commercial sides (including 2 Dinah Shore vocals) the band recorded but never released, and second, even though I can understand the German dialogues a translation would have been helpful for those who don't speak the language. In any case, combine this CD with the marvelous "Secret Broadcasts" for a true Miller treat.

Addendum -

Yes, some of these recordings are considered as "propaganda" (note to other posters: the word has 3 'a's and only 1 'o') but IMO that only adds to their importance. Miller volunteered for military service with the stated aim of using his music to help the war effort and these recordings show that he did it his way. The narration, both in English and German, doesn't contain any heavy-handed "we will defeat you"-style blathering. Rather, the music is presented as entertainment that crosses national and cultural boundaries and Miller expresses his wishes for eventual peace among nations. There's even a short discussion of how the orchestra members represent different nationalities and religions all working together, with the clear but unspoken aim of rubbing American unity in the face of Nazi hatred. A bit more sophisticated than might be expected for the time but not surprising, because Glenn Miller was described as a man who "could only [be] fake on his trombone" (- George T. Simon).

If that's propaganda, so be it.