Customer Reviews

Tribute to a Generation: Salute to the Big Bands

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
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I'm fairly happy with this purchase. Overall, a nice collection of big band music.

The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra plays all the songs in the same arrangements as that of the various original artists who made each of the selections popular.

Yes, be aware ... these songs are not recordings by the original artists!

If you are looking for a collection of big band classics, recorded more recently so as to get the higher level of fidelity you are used to with modern recordings ... this might be your CD. The usual problem with modern recordings of big band music is that while the fidelity is better (none of that hollow hissing as in the originals - no offense to those who find this to be part of the "big band sound") the songs don't "swing" nearly as much as the originals from the 30s & 40s. However, as the arrangements are the same here, the recordings sound near identical to those by the original artists ... a positive I think as compared to other "collection" CDs where the performers have taken famous songs and done them their own way.

I was surprised though when I got my CD and found all the selections to be "live" versions. It's not really all that bad, just applause at the end of tracks. Just be aware ... I missed that when I first looked at the listing on Amazon.

This CD is one of the best jazz CD's in my collection. I would recomend this CD to anyone who likes real swing charts. These guys are the best of the best!