Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 7, 2000)
• Original Release Date: March 7, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B00004NKAB
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,114 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #3 in Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz > Contemporary Big Band
  • #3 in Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz > Classic Big Band
  • #5 in Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz > Swing General

Editorial Reviews

The greatest names in jazz and swing perform their most influential and unforgettable hits.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great music even after all these years, January 6, 2009

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need (Audio CD)

The Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need isn't completely comprehensive; but as a single CD retrospective it works. The quality of the sound is rather good and the artwork is excellent. We get a good sampler of what made people dance back in the era of the great big bands.

"Chattanooga Choo-Choo" starts the CD off with a huge hit! We get this classic tune performed by some really big names from the big band era: Glenn Miller, Tex Beneke, Paula Kelly and The Modernaires. "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" has a fine side dish of swing that works very well for this number; and Tex Beneke really sings his heart out on this number. "Stompin' At The Savoy" stands out just as brightly; Benny Goodman & His Orchestra never miss a beat and Benny's legendary high standards for quality control produce this marvelous hit. We then get "Take the 'A' Train" by Duke Ellington; and that's grand. "Take The 'A' Train" sounds just as fresh today as when they first recorded it; and the band handles the quick tempo changes very well.

"Tempo And Swing" by Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra packs a full punch that makes you tap your toes even in our times; and listen for "In The Mood" by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra. "In the Mood" was a huge big band hit but no one ever did it any better than Glenn Miller did! "Bill's Mill" showcases the wonderful talents of Count Basie & His Orchestra; "Bill's Mill" may not be as famous or well known as "In The Mood" but it's a fine piece of music anyway. I predict you'll like it.

"Ya Gotta Try" has a great jazz arrangement by Buddy Rich & His Orchestra; and it sounds really good even today. "Ya Gotta Try" is a tune I really like. Of course, Duke Ellington and his mates return to do yet another snazzy number entitled "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)." I love it!

"(I've Got A Gal In) Kalamazoo" comes to us courtesy of Glenn Miller & His Orchestra with Tex Beneke, The Modernaires and Marion Hutton. Tex Beneke sang so well; he deserves to be remembered more than he is today. "I'm In The Mood For Love" shines bright as Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra perform it with panache; the brass is used well on "I'm In The Mood For Love" and this enhances the natural beauty of this number. The CD ends with "Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing) (Parts 1 & 2)" by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra; what a great way to end this album!

Although the CD gives us nothing but outstanding big band music; it really isn't the only big band CD you'll ever need. This is best used as a starter CD for people wanting to get better acquainted with big band music so that they can then find more CDs by the specific artists here--and by other artists of the big band era, too.

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction and Great Toe-Tapping Listening, April 30, 2003

By 

Chris Fox "Cheopys" (Can Tho, Vietnam) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need (Audio CD)

Someone who knows the era better than I will have to tell how well-chosen the tracks are, but I've really enjoyed listening to this. The recording quality is indeed low but you need to regard that as akin to the tool marks in fine leather; they are proof of its authenticity. What do you expect for a track recorded in 1927? It's not going to be DDD. If you've ever heard some old tune that you wanted to hear again, and never knew its name, there's a good chance you'll find it on this CD

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Sampler, August 11, 2002

By 

Alan J. Mattia "amatt42" (Rockville, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need (Audio CD)

The CD name is a little ambitious, but if you want an excellent sampler of the best in big band, this is a great choice. True, some songs are not up to current recording standards, but the quality is very good for recordings made back in the 30s and 40s. I don't care much for the Buddy Rich and Woody Herman songs (too "Las Vegas" sounding) but everything else is first rate. Totally appropriate that it ends with "Sing Sing Sing", which I consider the best big band song ever recorded.