Bob Thiele

Producer Bob Thiele organized the "New Happy Times Orchestra" shortly after the release of the movie Thoroughly Modern Millie to pay a "tribute" of sorts to 1920s music. Actually, the arrangers (Glen Osser and Tommy Goodman) did not really understand the idiom, and much of the music on this LP comes across as corny and campy. Teresa Brewer, Steve Allen (horrendous on "I'm Just a Vagabond Lover") and a female trio known as "The Happy Girls" take two forgettable vocals apiece. The reason that this out-of-print album is of a little interest is that it includes in the supporting cast cornetists Jimmy McPartland and Max Kaminsky, plus clarinetist Pee Wee Russell on one of his very last recordings. But other than instrumental versions of "Charleston," "Changes" and "San," there is not much here worth hearing. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide