Paul Whiteman

Although he had been the most popular bandleader of the 1920s, by the '40s Paul Whiteman was considered a bit of a has-been. This CD has his last significant recordings. There are eight songs from June 1942 (with vocals by Martha Tilton, Larry Neil, the Mellowaires, on "The Old Music Master" Johnny Mercer and Jack Teagarden and for the most famous selection, "Trav'lin Light," Billie Holiday) that find Whiteman doing his best to emulate Glenn Miller without outright copying him; a swinging "I've Found a New Baby" featuring pianist Buddy Weed is best. Two selections from 1945 really close the book on Whiteman: remakes of "San" (originally recorded with Bix Beiderbecke in 1928) and 1920's "Wang Wang Blues" (Whiteman's very first recording). The CD concludes with routine concert versions of "An American in Paris" and "Rhapsody in Blue" from 1951. Whiteman collectors and historians may find this set of interest but it pales next to his performances of the 1920s. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide