Glenn Miller

This English import features the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band and Ray McKinley's Swing Shift from four different performances. The large orchestra is heard while still in the United States on November 12, 1943, performing several numbers such as "In the Mood" and "Holiday for Strings." Drummer McKinley leads a small group on August 12, 1944, highlighted by a Mel Powell piano feature on "Wigan Pier Wiggle" and a heated "Everybody Loves My Baby." The Glenn Miller orchestra is heard 12 days later on one of its well-conceived "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue" medleys. This CD concludes with eight full-length numbers by the orchestra on April 5, 1945, when McKinley was the leader, including vocals by Johnny Desmond. Clarinetist Peanuts Hucko is featured with a trio on "S'Wonderful" and on the full-band swinger "9:20 Special." All of the Avid Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band releases are well-recorded, previously unreleased, and easily recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide