The Voice of the Big Bands [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] [Import]

Helen Forrest | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 8, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Jasmine Music
• ASIN: B0000017ED
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,984 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Deep In A Dream With Artie Shaw & His Orchestra

2. Deep Purple With Artie Shaw & His Orchestra

3. Comes Love With Artie Shaw & His Orchestra

4. Day In, Day Out With Artie Shaw & His Orchestra

5. All The Things You Are With Artie Shaw & His Orchestra

6. Moonray With Artie Shaw & His Orchestra

7. How High The Moon With Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

8. Shake Down The Stars With Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

9. It Never Entered My Mind With Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

10. I'm Nobody's Baby With Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

11. Taking A Chance On Love With Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

12. Yes, My Darling Daughter With Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

13. Bewitched With Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

14. I Found A Million Dollar Baby With Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

15. When The Sun Comes Out With Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

16. The Devil Sat Down And Cried With Harry James & His Orchestra & Dick Haymes

17. I Don't Want To Walk Without You With Harry James & His Orchestra

18. Skylar With Harry James & His Orchestra K

19. He's My Guy With Harry James & His Orchestra

20. I Had The Craziest Dream With Harry James & His Orchestra

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Arguably the most underrated singer of the 20th Century. Her impeccable phrasing and unparrelled range and breath control made it so easy to be heard over a 17 piece band. Miss "99" lbs. of dynamite (according to Downbeat Magazine) was held in the highest regard as the finest band singer ever by such contemporaries such as Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald etc. Listen to her version of "When The Sun Comes Out" with The Benny Goodman Orchestra, albeit one of her lesser known works ,it may well be the greatest interplay you'll ever hear between ban and vocalist !.If you love the big band music of the 1930's and 1940's and have never heard Helen Forrest, then you are missing a lot. See also: JASBOX10-4 - The Golden Years Of - I Had The Craziest Dream JASMCD2550 - Sweeter As The Years Go By JASMCD2559 - Volume Two - Sweet And Simple

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanted Forrest, November 1, 2002

By 

Richard Dondiego (Sherman Oaks, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Voice of the Big Bands [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] (Audio CD)

Arguably the most underrated singer of the 20th Century -- she was also a dear friend and one of the sweetest people you could ever hope to meet. Her impeccable phrasing and unparrelled range and breath control made it sound so easy to be heard over a 17 piece brash band - but her contemporaries knew better. Miss "99 lbs. of dynamite" (according to Downbeat Magazine) was held in the highest regard as the finest big band singer ever by Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, etc.... If you think I'm boasting a bit much, remember that as a band singer she never had the luxuary of either choosing her own material, or even the ability to select the tempo of the songs she was obliged to sing by her bosses (Artie Shaw - Benny Goodman - Harry James). Yet "there is not a single song she failed to elevate" by giving them all her special glory. Check out Helen's recording of "When The Sun Comes Out" with the Benny Goodman Orchestra and see if you agree with this fanatic. Albeit one of her lesser known works, it may very well be the greatest interplay you'll ever hear between band and vocalist! I'd love to get your feedback.
-----P.S.---In reply to the person who asked if Helen ever recorded any Christmas music -- the answer is unfortunately NO.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Don't Want to Walk Without This..., December 27, 2001

By 

pestcomics "pestcomics" (Long Island, New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Voice of the Big Bands [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] (Audio CD)

I first discovered Helen Forrest through an old 78 record I discovered of her hit "I Don't Want to Walk Without You." Although I am not of the WW II generation, I have always loved the sound of the big bands and immediately fell in love with this woman's voice. I discovered this CD and purchased it (mainly to hear a crisper, clearer version of "I Don't Want to Walk Without You") to my amazement I found this collection to be a treasure trove of great big band sounds. It is an awesome sampler of Helen's early musical days featuring a variety of tracks from her years with Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James and two duets with Dick Haymes. If you are new to the music of this great lady than I would suggest purchasing this CD to get you started. My favorite tracks are her versions of "Taking a Chance on Love," "Bewitched," "I've Heard That Song Before" and a live recording of a song called "Moonray." If you love the big band music of the 30's and 40's and have never heard Helen Forrest than you are missing a lot. Note: Does anyone know if Helen ever recorded any Christmas music?

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Profound, and Swinging!, December 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Voice of the Big Bands [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED] (Audio CD)

This is an excellent Cd! Deep in a Dream, Deep Purple, Comes Love, All the Things You Are (my favorite version of this amazing song), Moon Ray, How High the Moon, Shake Down the Stars, Taking a Chance on Love, and many more are beautifully arranged, orchestrated, and impeccably sung by the incomparable Helen Forrest. Very high quality recording. You won't be disappointed!