Customer Reviews

The Unforgettable

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Glenn Miller (1909-44) is often remembered as one of the greatest bandleaders and composers of the Big Band Era. This CD was put together by RCA in 1985, and is a collection of sixteen of Glenn Miller's greatest works, as performed by himself and his band during the 1940s! The tunes have not been digitally remastered, or anything like that, but the sound quality actually took me back to my childhood, hearing again my father's old records.

Among the sixteen tunes are such classics as Moonlight Serenade, In the Mood, and Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree. The liner notes are practically nonexistent, which is unfortunate, as I would really like to know who the female singer is on Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (her voice is wonderful!). So, if you are a fan of swing music, or just want a taste of that 1940s sound, then I highly recommend that you get this CD. It's a must-have!

While I enjoy the music of the Big Band era I am hardly an expert. The Big Band era ended before I was born. However, like so many others before me I am partial to the Glenn Miller Orchestra. There were so many great tunes and sixteen of the best are included here on "The Unforgettable Glenn Miller and His Orchestra". To me it is truly amazing how this music has stood the test of time. Songs like "In The Mood", "A String of Pearls" and "Moonlight Seranade" sound every bit as good today as they did in the heyday of the Glen Island Casino (a popular big band venue in New Rochelle, NY) in the late 1930's and 1940's. Some of the other memorable tunes in this collection are "Chattanooga Choo Choo" from 1941 and the ever popular "Tuxedo Junction" which topped the charts for 9 weeks in 1940.
At the peak of his popularity in 1942, Miller decided to enlist in what was then known as the Army Air Force. He formed the war's most famous service band and spent the next couple of years entertaining our troops. Unfortunately, his plane was lost on a stormy December night in 1944 over the English Channel. His body was never recovered. Glenn Miller was an American institution. The Glenn Miller Orchestra boasted over 80 charted singles. And the overwhelming majority of these were Top Ten smashes. Glenn Miller is truly a dominant figure in the long history of American popular music. I think it is fair to say the no one CD can do justice to the man's remarkable career. But "The Unforgettable Glenn Miller and his Orchestra" is certainly not a bad place to start.. Also included is a thoughtful and informative eight page booklet highlighting the history of the band. Great memories for the long time fan and a terrific introduction for the uninitiated. I would particularly recommend this disc to younger listeners who have never explored the big band sound. Very Highly recommended!!!

This is the best swing music that I have ever had. It reminds me of growing up and dancing with my parents and grandparents in the mountains. I had some of the most wonderful times of my life with this music on. Almost every song makes you feel so alive. This CD is essential for anyone trying to capture the roarin' 20s mood.

Listen to the sample of Tuxedo Junction -- even on this remaster you can clearly hear the source LP scratches and pops. Compare the same song on Essential Glenn Miller (1995 or 2005).

This CD from 1985 contains 16 of Glenn's biggest hits including Chattanooga Choo Choo, Tuxedo Junction, Moonlight Serenade, String of Pearl and many others including, of course, In The Mood. The surface noise from the master discs of the songs on this disc in left intact for the authenticity of the recordings, because during the era these songs were recorded, magnetic tape hadn't been invented. This does have all 10 songs that are on the more familiar "Pure Gold" compilation from 1975, reissued on CD in 1988 plus these 6 additional tracks: Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me), Stardust, St. Louis Blues March, Serenade In Blue, Perfidia, and Juke Box Saturday Night. The songs are in their original mono on this CD also for the authenticity of the recordings while much of the Pure Gold series is in electronic stereo so if you are looking for a single disc of Glenn's signature songs and then some in the original sound quality (mono, surface noise intact, etc.), this is the disc to get.

This is the first Glenn Miller disc I bought back in the eighties and I think it's the first CD ever released of Glenn Miller`s hits. 16 great songs with those darn "scratches and pops," but that's alright, it makes the music breath in my opinion.

I also bought the "Essential Glenn Miller" collection and I thought it suffered from too much noise reduction and the song selection was too heavy on Eberle ballads. The "Unforgettable Glenn Miller & His Orchestra" collection has just one Eberle song and it's biggest hit "Serenade In Blue."

I've since bought the 3 disc/60 song "Popular Recordings" collection. That too has some of those "scratches and pops," but they just don't bother me at all. Anyway, this disc makes a great starting point, in your Glenn Miller discoveries.

Finally, why can't these compilations of old 78's have a few more seconds between them? Essentially we have a bunch of singles all crammed together, so why not let them have some breathing room. As I recall, the British Beatles albums from 1963 to 1966 had a seven second break between songs. I loved it! It was like letting dust settle before being inundated with another song right away. It basically gives each song it's own spotlight. Oh, the days of one song at a time.

I was a little disappointed in this CD. Somehow the music of his band I have heard previously seemed to sound better. Don't know why.

If you like Glenn Miller, you will like this CD. It contains many of his greatest hits. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. These are original Glenn Miller recordings.

I love Glenn Miler's music. But in this case I bought this for my aunt and uncle who are 85 and 88 respectively. My uncle knew Glenn personally. He was a great trumpet player. He only has one complete arm - his right arm. His left "arm" ends at the elbow where he has a "digit". He would hold the trumpet with the left "arm" and play the valves to make the notes with his right hand.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Benny Goodman, the Dorsey band, and others always would come to town to play and they would always ask my uncle to join them and play with them at their local gigs. They asked him to join the bands as well but he always turned them down. He didn't want to leave his family. He was/is a great guy! This was in Allentown, PA. My uncle was a member of "The Great Allentown Band" for many years. The band is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, organized band in the country.
Anyway, back to Glenn's music. Young people should give this music a listen. It's terrific music. His nusic defined "Swing" music. I grew up with Rock and Roll but because of my uncle I was exposed to alot of different music and musical styles. Jazz, swing, band music, watch the "Music Man" sometime and enjoy the "76 Trombones" number. They always had a concert every year in Allentown where the Allentown Band and other bands would join to create those 76 trombones, 110 cornets, etc for that number. It was quite a sight! And the music was great too!

While I was writing "I Kept My Word," in conjunction with Clarence Wolfe, a World War II veteran, who told the story of Glenn Miller's death, a friend gave me this particular CD of Miller's music. I loved it so much that I purchased one for the vet, as he just had some old worn-out tapes with some of his favorite Glenn Miller tunes. I think he will wear this CD out, too! The classical sound of Glenn Miller has already touched generations, and I predict it will continue to do so. After my book came out, I was amazed at how many young people knew Glenn Miller's music and were eager to read more about him.