Artie Shaw - Essential Artie Shaw at JazzStore.com

Review

The Essential Artie Shaw collects 38 tracks recorded between 1938 and 1953 for Bluebird. The compilation does an admiral job of showcasing Shaw's skills as bandleader, composer, showman, and musician. The focus of the disc is mainly instrumentals, both in small-group and orchestral settings, with a few tracks spotlighting the vocals of Helen Forrest, Hot Lips Page, Tony Pastor, and Billie Holiday. Along with the abundance of swing standards from the era like "Nightmare," "Frenesi," and "Begin the Beguine," the combination of big band and strings allows for colorful and intricate arrangements on "April in Paris," "Any Old Time," "All the Things You Are," and the Shaw-penned "Concerto for Clarinet (Pts. 1-2)," finding the unique composer on par with Stan Kenton. Collectors should take note of the previously unissued 1936 take of "Streamline." ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide

Track Listing

1. Begin the Beguine	3:17
2. Special Delivery Stomp	2:44
3. Non-Stop Flight	2:49
4. Deep Purple	3:14
5. Oh, Lady Be Good	3:10
6. Scuttlebutt	3:12
7. Shoot the Likker to Me, Johnny Boy	2:51
8. St. James Infirmary Blues, Pts. 1-2	6:23
9. Georgia on My Mind	2:49
10. April in Paris	3:26
11. Any Old Time	3:13
12. All the Things You Are	3:14
13. Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise	3:15
14. Back Bay Shuffle	3:17
15. (When Your Heart's on Fire) Smoke Gets in Your Eyes	3:17
16. Tabu	3:11
17. Blues in the Night	3:16
18. Concerto for Clarinet, Pts. 1-2	9:22
19. Frenesi	3:05
20. Summit Ridge Drive	3:22
21. Take Your Shoes Off, Baby	3:28
22. It Had to Be You	2:31
23. Don't Take Your Love from Me	3:08
24. Indian Love Call	3:12
25. Dancing in the Dark	3:04
26. Deep in a Dream	3:18
27. I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me	3:10
28. Star Dust	3:33
29. Room with a View	3:31
30. Temptation	3:03
31. Streamline [#][Take]	2:32
32. Traffic Jam	2:16
33. What Is This Thing Called Love?	3:16
34. Yesterdays	3:20
35. You're a Lucky Guy	2:40
36. Alone Together	3:26
37. These Foolish Things	3:14
38. Nightmare	2:50

Details of This Recording

Label: Absor
Credits:
- Ray Conniff: Trombone
- Henry "Red" Allen: Trumpet
- Roy Eldridge: Trumpet
- Lena Horne: Vocals
- Max Kaminsky: Trumpet
- Barney Kessel: Guitar
- Buddy Rich: Drums
- Artie Shaw: Clarinet
- Billy Butterfield: Trumpet
- Johnny Guarnieri: Piano
- Jack Jenney: Trombone
- Tony Pastor: Sax (Tenor)
- George Wettling: Drums
- Helen Forrest: Vocals
- Skitch Henderson: Piano
- George Arus: Trombone
- Georgie Auld: Sax (Tenor)
- Billie Holiday: Vocals
- Harry Bluestone: Violin
- Vernon Brown: Trombone
- Les Burness: Piano
- Nick Fatool: Drums
- Al Hendrickson: Guitar
- Jerry Jerome: Sax (Tenor)
- Bob Kitsis: Piano
- Manny Klein: Trumpet
- Dodo Marmarosa: Piano
- Hot Lips Page: Trumpet
- Les Robinson: Sax (Alto)
- Jimmy Shirley: Guitar
- Leo Watson: Vocals
- Tony Gottuso: Guitar
- Jud de Naut: Bass
- Clark Dick: Sax (Tenor)
Additional Info:
- William Grant Still: Arranger
- Jerry Gray: Arranger
- Lennie Hayton: Arranger
- Doug Pomeroy: Mastering
- Howard Fritzson: Art Direction
- Pat Jerina: Design
- Lloyd Rauch: Liner Notes
- Barry Feldman: Reissue Producer
- Elizabeth Reilly: Photo Research
Styles:
- Sweet Bands
- Swing
- Big Band