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Various Artists:
Band Theme Songs - Rare And Famous Bands |
| Formats and Pricing |
CD
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List Price: $16.98
Price: $15.50
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| Description |
Although it is necessary in any collection of theme songs to include those tunes that immediately come to mind such as Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, etc. we have attempted to include many bands that the casual listener may not recall. Of course the serious collectors of this type of music will know most of these bands. Although, even the serious collector might find the Johnny McGee theme with his excellent trumpet work new to them. Regarding Johnny McGee & His Orchestra, he made thirty two recordings for the Varsity label between February and June of 1940 yet, the Rust discography of American Dance Bands does not mention the band. Lords Discography does show two tune which are probably considered the bands' jazz sides. There is no question this was a quality band. While the Larry Clinton theme Dipsy Doodle, is well known, it is interesting to know that he never recorded the tune, and the broadcast version included here with vocal by Bea Wain, is the only time she ever sang this tune. Ben Pollack's theme, Song of the Islands, heard here, with the superb clarinet solo by Irving Fazola, is actually the recording that first brought the name of Fazola to prominence. Prior to that he was known almost exclusively in the New Orleans area. If you give a close listen the superb style of Fazola, it is easy to hear why he was the major influence on the musician Pete Fountain. One can almost hear Fazola on some of Fountain's popular recordings. Much has been said and written about how Benny Goodman as a leader in breaking down racial barriers in the music business and all of these are legitimate, but we should not forget other white band leaders who even before Goodman were also making giant strides to break the racial barriers. For example, give a listen to the Leo Reichman band theme. This white band chose a superb black trumpet player by the name of Bubber Miley who was feature soloist on many of the bands best recordings. Willie Bryant was not a musician although as a boy attempted to learn the trumpet. He was however, an accomplished dancer and vocalist in addition to being intelligent, witty and debonair. Although not a musician, he formed a band in 1934 for an engagement at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. On his theme heard here, listen for the Teddy Wilson piano and Cozy Cole choke that cymbal. |
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Track Listing
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Alexander's Swinging - Van Alexander
Contented - Don Bestor
Fatal Fascination - Will Bradley
It's Over Because We're Through - Willie Bryant
What's New - Billy Butterfield
Starburst - Bob Chester
Dipsy Doodle - Larry Clinton
Under The Stars - Jack Denny
Let's Dance - Benny Goodman
Desert Serenade - Jerry Gray
The Boston Tea Party - Mal Hallett
Blue Flame - Woody Herman
Melodear Swing - Ina Ray Hutton Melodears
You're Just A Dream Come True - Isham Jones
Day Dreams Come True At Night - Dick Jurgens
How I'll Miss You, When the Summer Is Gone - Hal Kemp
Until The Real Thing Comes Along - Andy Kirk
Bye Bye Blues - Bert Lown
Just For Awhile - Johnny McGee
Moonlight Serendade - Glenn Miller
Does You're Heart Beat For Me - Russ Morgan
Song Of The Islands - Ben Pollack
Pagliacci - Joe Reichman
What Is This Thing Called Love - Leo Reichman
Nightmare - Artie Shaw
Let's Get Together - Chick Webb |
| Audio Samples |
Alexander's Swinging - Van Alexander
Contented - Don Bestor
Fatal Fascination - Will Bradley
It's Over Because We're Through - Willie Bryant
What's New - Billy Butterfield
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| Label |
VMP - Vintage Music Productions |
| Number |
261 |
| Subsidiary Artists: |
Van Alexander
Don Bestor
Will Bradley
Willie Bryant
Billy Butterfield
Bob Chester
Larry Clinton
Jack Denny
Benny Goodman
Jerry Gray
Mal Hallett
Woody Herman
Ina Ray Hutton Melodears
Isham Jones
Dick Jurgens
Hal Kemp
Andy Kirk
Bert Lown
Johnny McGee
Glenn Miller
Russ Morgan
Ben Pollack
Joe Reichman
Leo Reichman
Artie Shaw
Chick Webb |
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