Best of the Big Bands
Artist: Eddy Duchin & His Orchestra

Bandleader Eddy Duchin fronted a pop-dance band in the '30s whose initial popularity ended at the end of that decade. Unlike Ellington, Basie, Fletcher Henderson, or Benny Goodman, Duchin was neither a brilliant arranger nor musician. He seemed content to play simple arrangements of contemporary pop tunes. This set showcases some of the least... Read More

Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order
Artist: Perry Bradford
A Swingin' Christmas
Artist: Big Rhythm Band

Swingin' Christmas is the work of guitarist James Holihan, Jr., who is best known as the producer of the Russ Taff album A Christmas Song and Under Their Influence. Holihan turns in a swinging set of classic Christmas carols, all arranged as if they were bluesy, jazzy dance numbers from the '40s and '50s. It's entertaining and relaxed, full of... Read More

Live at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild
Artist: Count Basie

This lesser-known CD is of great interest, for it features the Count Basie Orchestra (under the direction of Grover Mitchell) in top form and, on four numbers, the New York Voices. The Voices sound perfectly at home, showing off their jazz chops on "Cottontail," "In a Mellow Tone," "Love Makes the World Go Round" and "Farmer's Market." Except... Read More

The Best of Early Ellington
Artist: Duke Ellington

Drawn from Duke Ellington's earliest recordings for Brunswick and Vocalion labels, The Best of Early Ellington is an excellent single-disc sampler that offers some of his most famous songs -- including "Mood Indigo" and "East St. Louis Toodle-oo," as well as "Creole Rhapsody," his first extended composition -- in their first recorded versions.... Read More

70th Birthday Concert
Artist: Duke Ellington

This double CD reissues a Solid State double-LP that ranks as one of Duke Ellington's finest recordings of his final decade. The live performance gives listeners a good idea as to how just how Duke's ensemble sounded in concert, and it serves as both a retrospective and a display of the strengths of Ellington's mighty band. Among the many... Read More

Homefront: 1941-1945
Artist: Tommy Dorsey

Released to coincide with the arrival of Memorial Day, The Homefront 1941-1945 is a worthwhile compilation of many of Tommy Dorsey's most popular and enduring wartime favorites. Among the selections: "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You," "Just as Though You Were Here," "Kiss the Boys Goodbye," "All the Things You Are" and "Yes Indeed!" ~ Jason... Read More