Bands Music

The music is alright, however, 5 or 6 recordings made in l945 are all better. There are six or seven people who are in the picture, but not mentioned in the comments. Most of the songs were recorded by an earlier band or later. I can give you the names of all of the musicians in the picture if you should want. Incidently, this picture was from a short made at Universal Studios in June or July, 1945. If you should consider another CD, please record the songs made in 1945 by all of the musicians in the picture. If you do know the names of the records cut in 1945, I can also supply you with the names. Thanks for letting me write the comments.

Of the entire series, this has to be the best - Rousing music! It surely was a good year for Benny! Of particular note are selections #1, "IF YOU BUILD A BETTER MOUSETRAP"; #2, "AT THE DARKTOWN STURTER'S BALL"; #3, "JERSY BOUNCE" (the GOOD version); #6, "A ZOOT SUIT" (who else did this one so well? - a rocker); #7, TANGERINE (a fine alternative to to Jimmy Dorsey's version); #8, "A STRING OF PEARLS" (My favorite Glenn Miller song - Benny does the best alternative version I've ever heard); #9, "MY LITTLE COUSIN" - A young Peggy Lee singing one of the most alluring melodies of the era. Absolutely superb band music. I could do a Texas shag to this one all night long!; #10, "RAMONA" - Reverbarating, dancable Big Band at it's best! Perfect balance to #9. Let's Dance, y'all! #14, "THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT" - Most people probably think Frank Sinatra did this first - here's the earliest version I've ever heard. Chalk this one up for trivia!; #15, "ST. LOUIS BLUES" - A rousing version, perfectly shaggable; "BEFORE" - Gents, get ready to gently boogie to Rachmaninoff. Benny's taken a classic and turned it into a supremely dancable piece. If you can't dance to this one, CALL ME! #14, "I THREW A KISS IN THE OCEAN" - Rocker, trust me. #18, "WE'LL MEET AGAIN" - Peggy Lee with an absolutely perfect band backup. Shaggable! #20, "THERE WON"T BE a SHORTAGE OF LOVE" - Let"s shag!!! Wango! Wango!; #21, "PETER AND THE WOLF" - An absolute classic! Big Band at it's best! Saxes, trumpets, clarienets. Bouncing tune perfect for those who SHAG; what a tune!; #22, "YOU'RE SO EASY TO DANCE WITH"; Holy Cow! No wonder Fred and Ginger liked this song! Another FANTASTIC shag piece. This is one of Benny's best. #23, "ALL I NEED IS YOU" - Wipe the sweat off and grab her. Here's your chance to hold her tight with a bit of shag to not be so obvious. #25, "TAKE ME" - Holy Moley. If you can't dance to this one, dad, you're dead.

This is THE best Big Band/Swing CD I've ever brought into my collection. You Will NOT go wrong with this one,

Mike Keel

This is another wonderful "Soundcraft" CD, if you know anything about Soundcraft they always put out fantastic stuff! Bobby's band swings Live from the Glen(n) Island Casino/ Casino Gardens/Spotlight Bands shows. Zoot's feature is "The man I love" that great Gershwin tune. Other highlights are "Kiddin' on the Strings" and "Suddenly it's Swing" and lets not forget Bobby's two biggest hits "Elks Parade" and "Sherwood Forest" are both played Live on this CD! Thats a rare treat right there that most Big Band fans can't pass up. Great band, Bobby's trumpet playing is great and this CD is a keeper.