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Ever wonder what happened to the many seasoned big-band musicians who vanished along with
most of the bands that once defined an era? As it turns out, some of them are still alive and kicking,
as one can readily hear on this new album by the aptly named Big Band Alumni Association. Each
member of the Association paid his dues with more than one of the well-known bands that inspired
an older generation, earning diplomas from such stellar ensembles as those led by Billy May,
Woody Herman, Harry James, Freddy Martin, Bob Crosby, Stan Kenton, Glenn Miller, the Dorsey
and Elgart brothers, Benny Goodman, Les Brown, Buddy Rich, Ray Anthony, Louie Bellson, Alvino
Rey and many others.
On Platinum Swing, the Association revisits the Swing Era with a handful of hits from the
period and other songs that embody the same temperament. The sequence seems roughly
chronological, starting with Woody Herman's theme, "Woodchopper's Ball," and moving
forward
to the arrangement of Cole Porter's "Love for Sale" introduced by the Buddy Rich band
and a
staple from the Count Basie library, Sammy Nestico's gently swaying "Warm Breeze."
Much of the
music is danceable, and conductor/arranger Randy Van Horne has, for the most part, emphasized
harmony instead of heat, although the temperature does warm up toward the end, starting with
"Love for Sale."
Unfortunately, that's the point at which my copy of the disc began to
show signs of
an imperfection, which became progressively worse through the remainder of the program as the
music skipped repeatedly from there on. I trust that was an aberration and that other copies will be
problem-free (but I can't vouch for it).
There are three vocals, two by sultry Nancy Osborne ("This Masquerade," "It's
So Nice to
Have a Man Around the House"), the other by Michael Dees ("Lonely Places").
Even though the
ensemble is given prominence, there are a handful of brief but effective passages by unnamed
soloists. I think most of the tenor solos are by former Les Brown standout Dave Pell (who's listed in
the notes as having played with Herman, Goodman and James but not with Brown's Band of
Renown!).
For those who miss the Swing Era, here's a charming time capsule designed for your pleasure
by some of those who were there the first time around.
Contact: The Big Band Alumni Association, P.O. Box 18875, Encino, CA 91416-8875,
www.alumniband.homestead.com
or Hitchcock Media, 1625 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Phone 323-656-0757;
www.hitchcock-media.com/Artists/bba.html
~ Jack Bowers
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Track Listing: Woodchopper's Ball; Charmaine; So What's New; Say It Isn't So; Rattle and Roll; Lonely Places;
Here We Go Again; Scott's Place; It's So Nice to Have a Man Around the House; Let Yourself Go;
Love for Sale; Warm Breeze; This Masquerade; Puttin' on the Ritz; Closing Theme (56:35).
Personnel: Randy Van Horne, conductor, arranger; George Kenny, Lon Norman, trombone, arranger; John
Setar, Ethmer Roten, alto sax, flute, clarinet; Larry Covelli, tenor sax, clarinet; Ira Schulman, Dave
Pell, tenor, baritone sax; Ron Smith, Jim Amlotte, Barney Liddell, trombone; John Fick, Fred Koyen,
Jack Feierman, Howard "Hotsy" Katz, trumpet; Bill Casilli, piano; Al Vecovo, guitar; George "Geo"
Valle, bass; Johnny Vana, percussion; Nancy Osborne, Michael Dees, vocals.
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