Glenn Miller

The bulk of this CD, the eighth set from the British Avid label to document formerly unreleased broadcasts and recordings from the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band, mostly concentrates on the broadcasts of April 5 and 9, 1945, four months after Miller's disappearance over the English Channel. The April 5 performance includes Ray McKinley singing a good-natured "Whatcha Know Joe" and some hot playing by clarinetist Peanuts Hucko and pianist Mel Powell with a trio on "Plain and Fancy Blues." The performance of four days later is quite strong, with an enjoyable "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue" medley and Powell stretching out on his "No Compris." Wrapping up the CD are three string pieces from November 25, 1944, that are soothing and melodic. All of the Avid Glenn Miller sets are rewarding. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide