Dixieland Music

This is a glorious collection. The cover art is indeed repugnant. And some of the recordings are a little hissy. But the performers sound pretty mean to me.

A good anthology covers the big numbers (though maybe not the biggest) and also uncovers mistakenly overlooked items. This does a good job on that, for the relative novice. And it also moderates between up-tempo and more relaxed performances, so it's not just constant swing. Another tip o' the hat--well-chosen selections. I had never heard of Lucky Millinder when I bought this, nor The Mills Blue Rhythm Band, nor the Casa Loma Orchestra. Those cuts alone made it worth the price--this stuff swings! And I found some new bands to investigate as well....never enough CDs on the shelf!

I found this collection almost perfect. How can anyone say Saratoga Drag doesn't swing....my shoulders gyrate and hips swivel. And I'm an old, non-dancing, rhythm-free guy. Thanks Decca!

Strictly speaking, "swing" designates a style of performance in which the emphasis falls on the offbeat. Even so the term "big band swing" is a flexible one, and if your ideas about it center on the style of The Glenn Miller Orchestra you will likely be disappointed with this double disk collection, which ranges in tone from the strict tempos of the Deco era to the bop-inflected sounds popular in post-World War II America.

In the big band era, most popular ballrooms and dance clubs had a "house orchestra," and each strove to create a specific style that would set them apart in the highly competitive world of big band music--and overall this collection does a superior job of capturing both the broad differences and subtle nuances that made each band distinctly different from the rest, as well as giving the listener an overview of the form as it changed over time. Consequently, the selections here are not often the most popular, but rather most indicative.

The emphasis here is really more upon lesser known bands and then-popular but now forgotten releases, including such one-hit wonders as Casa Loma Orchestra, a house band that reached a brief popularity with the "Casa Loma Stomp." Even so, there are famous names aplenty, such as Duke Ellington, The Dorsey Brothers, Count Basie, Chick Webb, Louis Armstrong, Woody Herman, Bennie Goodman, Artie Shaw--and yes, even the inescapable and to my mind slightly overrated Glenn Miller, to name but the most obvious.

Hardcore fans are likely to regret the absence of certain artists and certain tunes--my own complaint is that Cab Calloway is absent from the collection, and it is unfortunate that Artie Shaw is represented by "The Continental" instead of "Begin the Beguine." It is also true that the sound quality, particularly re recordings from the early 1930s, is sometimes problematic; this, however, is inevitable, for early recording techniques were a far cry from current standards. Even so, you'd have to go some to find a collection that so effectively captures the wide array of styles seen in big band music over the course of 25 years of popularity.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

It's not quite what I'd call an Anthology, but it's certainly a good collection. Each track is an excellent song and most of the major artists are represented. Not every track is danceable, for you swing dancers out there, but there's plenty of danceable numbers, including a couple you can practice your Bal-Swing to. Enjoyable collection.

This is a nice anthologie which is not typical for it features lsser known bands and lesser known songs. It has Don Redman's classic Chant Of The Weed, a RARE Spud Murphey & His Orchestra track! This cd is pure swing at it's best. My wife & I are swing dancers and there is palnty here for lindy hopping, shag, balboa, and jitterbug. Fun msuic for dancing or listening. A great place to start and the 1st disc gives you a nice sampling of where swings roots come from...

While there was a renaissance of interest in swing in the 1990s, and while much of this was among a relatively younger --late 20s, 30s, 40s-- audience, swing CDs are increasingly out of print.
Decca and Brunswick recorded many important swing artists in the 1930s and 1940s, the period of focus in this collection.
We are fortunate that GRP has assembled a wide variety of performers on this collection. You have hot swing performers; and you also have more laid back performers such as Glen Gray's Casa Loma Orchestra.
The music on this collection swings! --Even the Glen Miller track is up-beat.
Some reviews in the discographical literature kvetch about the quality of anthologies. They always expect something more: more concentration on the major figures, more obscure tunes instead of hits. This collection definitely meets the bill; but the complainers might be disappointed that few artists are represented more than once. Count Basie is a worthy exception of course. If you liked what you heard in Ken Burns' "Jazz" series, you should get this collection. Given the shrinking amount of swing that is available these days, I would even recommend that "serious" collectors also get this one. Many of the artists here are unavailable in their own recordings.
Nearly all of the tracks are arranged in chronological order. In addition, there is a booklet of commentary that is so long, it hardly fits in the case.
My one disappointment was that there are no tracks with vocalists. For great swing with vocalists I would recommend that you pursue the Columbia (SONY) "His Great Vocalists" collections for Ellington, Basie or Goodman.

I've heard sound clips of this album a few months ago, and I think it's really a great representation of early jazz -- especially selections that make extensive use of the drums (hence, the title). I have already ordered it from two sources here in SF, hoping that at least one copy can be turned up -- as these import items are often very difficult to locate. Good luck getting this one! -- you're gonna need it!

I've heard sound clips of this album a few months ago, and I think it's really a great representation of early jazz -- especially selections that make extensive use of the drums (hence, the title). I have already ordered it from two sources here in SF, hoping that at least one copy can be turned up -- as these import items are often very difficult to locate. Good luck getting this one! -- you're gonna need it!

Preservation Hall Jazz Band has dropped to #2. Magnola Jazz Band (also with Topsy Chapman) is the BEST.