Customer Reviews

Swing: Best of Big Bands 4 [VHS]

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This final volume of archival film treasures from Universal Studios continues the focus on the Big Bands with additional footage of the greatest names in Swing. Among the "new" performers to make their only appearances in this 4-volume set of tapes are two early do-wop groups--The Mills Brothers and The Skylarks, along with the great Louis Prima and Buddy Rich.

Included on this tape:
*Count Basie (who also appears on Volumes 1 and 3) is a standout in "One O'Clock Jump."

*In "Am I Blue," Jimmy Dorsey (who also appears in Vols. 2 and 3) showcases Dottie O'Brien, a pretty singer with a fine voice, but who never had the success of other "girl singers." Each section of the band gets a star turn in "Lover."

*Handsome Tex Beneke (who appeared on Vol. 1) with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, which he took over after Miller's death during World War II, reprises two of Miller's most famous songs in this volume--"I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo," and "Little Brown Jug."

*Here The Mills Brothers make their only appearance in the four-volume set with "Paper Doll" and "Opus One," recorded in 1957.

*Ray Anthony (who appeared on Vol. 1) continues his big trumpet sound with "Mr Anthony's Boogie."

*Another early do-wop group, the Skylarks, give "Sweet Chariot" imaginative, new interpretations, while "Darktown Strutters Ball" gets dance steps and some interesting harmonies.

*Stan Kenton displays his sit-up-and-take-notice conducting technique with "Tabu" and "Artistry in Rhythm."

*The often hilarious Louis Prima shows his irrepressible style in "That Old Black Magic," in the days before his act with Keely Smith, and puts his stamp on his most famous composition, "Sing, Sing, Sing."

The "grand finale" is Buddy Rich. Here he combines with Terry Gibbs on vibes in a sensational rendition of "Burn." "Not So Quiet Please" is not so quiet, and Rich actually makes his drums "talk." Often considered the greatest drummer of the age, this is Rich's only appearance in the 4-volume series.

Produced by George Paige in 1987, this 4-volume collection offers a rare opportunity to see and hear these pioneering musicians in action and to experience the full impact of the Age of Swing. This archival footage is an important historical compilation which deserves to be converted to DVD. n Mary Whipple

This is an amazing video - where else can you see Count Basie doing "One O'Clock Jump"? You know this wonderful stuff isn't shown on tv anywhere, all you see is little snippets of it on compilation type shows.
And where else can you see the fabulous Louis Prima belt out "That Old Black Magic"? It's an amazing performance.
These two performances alone are worth watching this tape for - but there's also Jimmy Dorsey, Tex Beneke and Stan Kenton, along with a few others.
If you want to see how the masters od swing, the "Sultans of Swing" as it were, performed this music, get this viseo and watch it. I guarantee your spirits will be uplifted and your toes will be tapping - a wonderful way to spend 50 minutes and cheaper than a psychiatrist;)

This is an amazing video - where else can you see Count Basie doing "One O'Clock Jump"? You know this wonderful stuff isn't shown on tv anywhere, all you see is little snippets of it on compilation type shows.
And where else can you see the fabulous Louis Prima belt out "That Old Black Magic"? It's an amazing performance.
These two performances alone are worth watching this tape for - but there's also Jimmy Dorsey, Tex Beneke and Stan Kenton, along with a few others.
If you want to see how the masters od swing, the "Sultans of Swing" as it were, performed this music, get this viseo and watch it. I guarantee your spirits will be uplifted and your toes will be tapping - a wonderful way to spend 50 minutes and cheaper than a psychiatrist;)

If your a big-band swing era fan this 4 tape collection is for you. Tommy Dorsey, Mills Bro's, Ellington, Glen Miller Band, Ink Spots, Gene Kuppa , The Count and more. Filmed in the late 50's in B&W looks and sounds great. An era of music when musicians actually played musical instruments.

I have now collected the four volumes in this set and each is a great reference library of the great bands and artists of the swing era. Great Jazz music. A must have.