Search - Jimmy Dorsey :: Plays 22 Original Big Band Recordings

The True Master of the Sax

John J. Mecca MD | Allentown, PA United States | 08/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The balance between the brass and woodwinds is probably the best of the big bands plus a rhythm section by which you can set your watch. The masterful Jimmy Dorsey is unique with his ability to do things with a sax no one else could achieve. One of the smoothest transition techniques done by the skilled arrangements, taking from instrumental up or down to the key of the vocalist, are beautiful interludes in themselves. This kept Bob Eberly in his true rich baritone range in contrast to brother Ray Eberle who so often seemed to be straining way up into the tenor range with Glenn Mller, who, for some reason didn't adapt the key more appropriate for his voice.



The ten year span of songs provided a nice sampling for the period, however, some songs would have fared better as strict instrumentals especially "Just For A Thrill" where the lyrics I feel are rather poorly phrased for the most part ("..took my heart and SNATCHED it away...")...poor Helen, not at all like her usual mode, sounds like a little old lady on this one. Listening to the remakes of "Tangerine" and "Green Eyes" with new vocalists is quite interesting to hear...Claire Hogan is a dead ringer for the perky Helen O'Connell, but Kenny Martin, though a pleasing voice, sounds like he's about to drift off to sleep at any moment.



The process of making choices for the selections on this CD omitted some of the better ones done so well by Helen O'Connell with or without Bob Eberly, for example, the beautiful "Star Eyes" from the 1943 movie "I Dood It" with Red Skeleton and Eleanor Powell.



All in all, a well done and very enjoyable album."

World apart and Standards

A. G Provencal | Taunton, MA United States | 06/06/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Everything on this CD was originally on World Transcriptions 12" Disc in 1939 or 1940, or Standard Transcription disc of 1949. Hindsight records reissued these in their fantastic Reissue series of the 1980's on LP.

There are World recordings mixed in with Standard recordings. The effect is quite confusing. JD's 1939-40 band was so superior to the 1949 band that it is a world of difference between them. Just listen to Blue Lou for World compared to In a Little Spanish Town for Standard! You will hear the difference.

In the 80's Hindsight issued the World transcriptions on one seperate LP and the Standard transcriptions on another one. A much better policy. This CD seems to be a rush job to get something out there in the market.

Though JD's 1949 transcriptions are not as good as the earlier stuff they were still a lot better than most other bands than(1949)or now.

Soundies issued ALL of these Standard Transcriptions on one CD with a Great collector's item interview of 1956. They also issued all of TD's Standard transcriptions of 1950-52. Boy did JD ever have such a much better band than that monotonous stuff of TD in the early 50's!"

Jimmy dorsey

pius_paulus_iii | New York, New York, USA | 11/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"CD's Great! Got a lot of work on it form the 50's that are mostly remakes of his old hit's."