The Dream World of Postwar Ballroom Dancing, Reborn
Mark E. Farrington | Albany, NY | 10/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ray Anthony took the clarinet-octave-lead-over-the-saxes sound from Glenn Miller's civilian band, added strings like Major Miller did in his AAF band, and, with his arrangers (including Don Simpson), made it all more hi-fi and even sweeter for dancing pleasure. And it IS pleasure: sensual, indulgent, maybe even "escapist," but in perfectly disciplined STYLE...If the ending of "Embraceable You" (Track 18) doesn't strike you as the PRETTIEST combo of big-band woodwinds and soft brass,
run-don't-walk to the nearest audiologist.
Now sure, as a trumpet player, Ray Anthony wasn't Harry James (who else WAS for Godssakes?), but what he HAD he sure could USE...No, this isn't "jazz," it's scintillatingly-arranged commercial big-band-and-strings, with jazz inflection...But taken on its own terms this disc is an unabashed pleasure from start to finish.
DREAM DANCING is the more famous of the two LPs resurrected here, and it's a jewel.
Still, the earlier LP, DANCERS IN LOVE (1957 ? ), is one of those sweetly, pungently recorded Capitol albums of the late mono era: everything is perfectly focused, and if it's possible, "better than stereo."
If you can't recreate a big-band ballroom or install a revolving mirror-ball in your own abode, then at least have a few old friends over to your patio, porch or deck; serve some hors d'ouevres, light some lanterns, pop open some bubbly, and play tracks 1 thru 12...By the time "Blue Champagne" is over, you'll think you see Marilyn, in that green & white-print summer dress she wore in SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE, smiling at you from the edge of the patio..."Sure, why not, you silly old thing."
"
Dance The Night Away
Michael E. Hund | Buffalo, NY United States | 12/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Snuggle up close to your sweetie for dream-dancing to this "two-fer" CD. Sparkling arrangements turn each song into a new memory. 'I Hadn't Anyone Till You', 'Out Of Nowhere', and 'I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)' get my honey and I up off our seats, and out onto the instant dance floor of our living room, every time!
Even if you can only dream, as you nod your head to another time and another place, this CD is worth the price of admission. Buy it for your Grandparents, or your parents, and make sure you buy another copy for yourself!
"
Buy this if you love the old standards!
perennialgardener | 12/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this just to have a CD of the old standards. I use it many times when we have company and even younger people (30's) love it! Has enough songs that they don't even notice when the CD repeats!"
Track Listings (24) - Disc #1