This English import features
the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band
and
Ray McKinley's Swing Shift
from four different performances. The large orchestra is heard while still in the United States on November 12, 1943, performing several numbers such as
"In the Mood"
"Holiday for Strings."
Drummer
McKinley
leads a small group on August 12, 1944, highlighted by a
Mel Powell
piano feature on
"Wigan Pier Wiggle"
and a heated
"Everybody Loves My Baby."
The
Glenn Miller
orchestra is heard 12 days later on one of its well-conceived "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue" medleys. This CD concludes with eight full-length numbers by the orchestra on April 5, 1945, when
was the leader, including vocals by
Johnny Desmond
. Clarinetist
Peanuts Hucko
is featured with a trio on
"S'Wonderful"
and on the full-band swinger
"9:20 Special."
All of the
Avid
Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band
releases are well-recorded, previously unreleased, and easily recommended. ~ Scott Yanow