Swing Music

Unlike Artie Shaw and a few others, Gene Krupa was a practical fellow. He knew that to get the freedom to play the hot stuff he wanted, he'd have to put out some sweeter stuff as well to pay the bills. This album is a testament to his skill, because he puts the same dedicated musicianship into most of the sweet tracks (about two-thirds) as he puts into the more swinging tracks. This may be the best of the Krupa albums on the Chronological Classics series for those of us who like our swing just a little easier than his post-war experiments.

Unlike Artie Shaw and a few others, Gene Krupa was a practical fellow. He knew that to get the freedom to play the hot stuff he wanted, he'd have to put out some sweeter stuff as well to pay the bills. This album is a testament to his skill, because he puts the same dedicated musicianship into most of the sweet tracks (about two-thirds) as he puts into the more swinging tracks. This may be the best of the Krupa albums on the Chronological Classics series for those of us who like our swing just a little easier than his post-war experiments.

This CD which covers Ellington between 1940-41 has some outstanding classic perfromances like Falmingo(one of Ellington & Jeffries biggest hits) with crooner Herb Jeffries warm baritone vocals. Also included in this set are the spectacular "Take The A Train" "Solitude" and "Chocolate Shake" with a wonderful Ivie Anderson vocal. This CD comes highly recomended.