Glenn Miller-Classic Jazz Archive

Read About This Recording

When one thinks of the great big bands of the swing era, such names as Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey and Harry James all come immediately to mind. But the swing band that had the most hits was also one of the shortest-lived: the Glenn Miller Orchestra of 1938-42.

Unlike the other bandleaders who are mentioned in the last paragraph, Glenn Miller was not a major soloist. His genius was in finding a recognizable sound, arranging a variety of songs for his group's musical identity, and knowing the perfect tempo to count off numbers.

After a period of struggle, the Glenn Miller Orchestra hit it big in 1939. This definitive two-CD set imported from Europe has most of the band's hits including Moonlight Serenade, Little Brown Jug, In The Mood, Tuxedo Junction, Pennsylvania 6-5000, Chattanooga Choo Choo and A String Of Pearls. In addition, some of the orchestra's more jazz-oriented performances are also included.

These are some of the songs that America danced to during the war years, tunes with catchy and repetitious riffs, ballad vocals, danceable tempos and nostalgic melodies. One can understand after listening to these 44 recordings why the Glenn Miller Orchestra was the most popular band of the time.

-Scott Yanow

Extended Article

Supposedly, Miller, another passenger and a pilot took off informally on an uncharted flight without clearance, on a foggy day when all other aircraft were grounded. Why Glenn, who had a real fear of planes, decided to risk a trip under such adverse conditions has never been determined, wrote his friend George Simon.

Contents

Imported from Europe!

Little Brown Jug: King Porter Stomp; Moonlight Serenade; Sunrise Serenade; Little Brown Jug; Runnin' Wild; Sliphorn Jive; Sold American; Pagan Love Song; Hallelujah!; The Jumpin' Jive; My Isle of Golden Dreams; Glen Island Special; In the Mood; Farewell Blues; Wham (Re-Bop-Boom-Bam); I Want to Be Happy; Johnson Rag; Rug Cutter's Swing; My Melancholy Baby; Tuxedo Junction; Slow Freight; Pennsylvania 6-5-0-0-0; A String of Pearls: Bugle Call Rag; My Blue Heaven; What's Your Story Morning Glory; Anvil Chorus; Under a Blanket of Blue; Song of the Volga Boatmen; Sun Valley Jump; I Dreamt I Dwelt In Harlem; When That Man Is Dead and Gone; The Spirit Is Willing; Perfidia; Chattanooga Choo Choo; Take the A Train; Swing Low, Sweet Chariot; Long Tall Mama; A String of Pearls; Chip Off the Old Block; Keep 'Em Flying; American Patrol; I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo; Serenade In Blue; St. Louis March Blues.

Glenn Miller, Al Mastren, Paul Tanner, Tommy Mack, Frank D'Annolfo, Howard Giberling, Jim Priddy, Zeke Zarchy, Larry Hall, Johnny Haliburton, Jim Harwood, Trombones; Bob Peck, Bob Price, Johnny Austin, Legh Knowles, Dale McMickle, Clyde Hurley, John Best, Charles Frankhauser, Billy May, Ray Anthony, Alec Fila, Steve Lipkins, Bobby Nichols, Bernie Privin, Jack Steele, Whitey Thomas, Trumpets; Addison Collins, French Horn; Wilbur Schwartz, Hal McIntyre, Babe Russin, Hank Freeman, Peanuts Hucko, Clarinets/Alto Saxes; Bill Stegmeyer, Skippy Martin, Alto Saxes; Al Klink, Tenor Saxes; Stanley Aronson, Tenor/Baritone/Alto Saxes; Harold Tennyson, Gabe Gelinas, Jimmy Abato, Freddy Guerra, Alto/Baritone Saxes; Ernie Caceres, Alto & Baritone Saxes/Clarinet; Chuck Gentry, Clarinet/Baritone Sax; Chummy McGregor, Mel Powell, Pianos; Alan Reuss, Richard Fisher, Arthur Ens, Jack Lathrop, Bill Conway, Carmen Mastren, Guitars; Rowland Rolly Bundock, Trigger Alpert, Doc Goldberg, Basses; Bob Spangler, Frank Carlson, Maurice Moe Purtill, Ray McKinley, Drums; Tex Beneke, Vocals/Tenor Sax; Bobby Hackett, Guitar/Cornet; Dorothy Clare, Marion Hutton, Ray Eberle, Vocals; The Modernaires; The Army Air Force Band.

Includes 20-page book.