Search - Harry James :: Best of Big Bands

MR. JAMES, YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU

scotsladdie | 04/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This collection is simply superb. Listen to "Trumpet Blues" for a 1942 killer diller! "I'll Get By" offers a great vocal by the very young Dick Haymes. "Sleepy Lagoon" is absolutely dreamy in it's introduction (a'la Debussy) and a classic performance by James and his golden trumpet (he really was THE greatest bar none of the Big Band era! If you wish to dig deeper into James (here we have the eloquent "You Made Me Love You" - his first really big hit; listen to "Cherry" (1942) "Autumn Serenade" (1945) and lastly "The Mole" his 1955 version-it's the supreme epitome & definition of swing and all it's glory; the radio program "The Swingin' Years" used it as their theme and it was my VERY favourite LONG before I heard the broadcasts!- it's truly a classic among classics. James was my second fave Big Band (My #1 is Artie Shaw) His records with Helen Forrest and his best instrumentals are legendary and they really DO stand the test of time. Listen to Helen Forrest sing "I Remember You" and you'll agree!"

Boy, could this guy play a trumpet...

Jimmy | YELM, WA. United States | 01/08/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of my favorite musicians and for good reasons. Harry James probably had control over the trumpet better then anyone in his time! I would say the band he had in 1943 was the best. And the female singers were excellent also. Helen Forrest, Kitty Kallen and Betty Grable. Dick Haymes did the male singing. This album shows off the band and singers very well with songs like "I've heard that song before", " I cant begain to tell you," Ciribiribin" to name a few. I would say to anyone who liked the music of this era to buy this album. Dont think you could go wrong."

I'll Get By, Harry James

Jimmy | 03/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Harry James' band perhaps isn't remembered as well as Glenn Miller or Benny Goodman, but he was one of the Goodman sidemen who left to seek fame and fortune on his own. And he deserved every bit of it. With his trumpet playing and his marriage to Betty Grable, he had a lot going for him. This collection will appeal even to listeners who (while they may not have heard of Harry James) will say, "Hey, I've heard that number before." The sound quality is pretty good, mostly.



This collection is simply superb. Listen to "Trumpet Blues" for a 1942 killer-diller! "I'll Get By" offers a great vocal by the very young Dick Haymes with an instrumental break in between. "Sleepy Lagoon" is absolutely dreamy in it's introduction (a'la Debussy) and a classic performance by James and his golden trumpet. If you wish to dig deeper into James, try the eloquent "You Made Me Love You," his first really big hit; listen to "Cherry" (1942) "Autumn Serenade" (1945) and lastly "The Mole," his 1955 version; it's the supreme epitome & definition of swing and all it's glory; the radio program "The Swingin' Years" used it as their theme and it was my VERY favorite LONG before I heard the broadcasts!; it's truly a classic among classics. James was my second favorite Big Band (My #1 is Glenn Miller). His records with Helen Forrest and his best instrumentals are legendary and they really DO stand the test of time. Listen to Helen Forrest sing "I Remember You" and you'll agree! The other vocalists on here include Kitty Kallen and Betty Grable-James.

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