Search - Lawrence Welk :: Dance to the Big Band Sounds

Mixed bag, but mostly swinging

Tom Andrews | West Chicago, IL United States | 09/24/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This collection of big band covers and swinging classics done in the big band style is a mixed bag. The main reason is that 7 of the songs were recorded by the studio band of George Cates and His Orchestra for an album in the 60s....considering Cates was Welk's musical director and arranger, the lines tend to blur as far as appropriate credit goes, but Hot Toddy, Caravan, Christopher Columbus, Music Makers, Organ Grinders Swing, Mr Ghost Goes To Town, and Concerto in B Flat Minor are arranged and recorded by George Cates. They have merit in the swinging alto sax and trumpet solos. Three other tracks feature the superb alto sax of the legendary Johnny Hodges: I Can't Get Started, In a Sentimental Mood, and When My Baby Smiles at Me. These are from a one off collaboration between Welk and the star Ellington saxophonist from 1965, available elsewhere on CD. The rest of the tracks feature the Champagne Music Makers in swinging big band style. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes is from 1973, That Old Black Magic and Willow Weep For Me are from 1959. The latter sporting gently swinging solos from tenor saxist Russ Klein, soprano saxist Jack Dumont, and clarinetist Don Bonnee. The remainder of the tracks are swinging versions of classical themes, arranged by the main arranger from the Les Elgart band, Charles Albertine. Shame they did not draw more from the Lawrence Welk Swings the Classics album for this release. Worth owning, but you may need to program your CD player a bit for maximum effect."