The Essential Glenn Miller
If you're looking for more than just the greatest hits of the Glenn Miller band but don't feel the need for the 13 CDs that make upThe Complete Glenn Miller, this two-disc set is an excellent overview of the 1939-42 period, with far better sound than on earlier CD compilations. It contains both the big hits of the period, such as "Fools Rush in," and all the tunes that have stood the test of time, such as "Moonlight Serenade," "Pennsylvania 6-5000," and "Serenade in Blue." From the sheer beauty ofHoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" to the pioneer nostalgia of "Along the Santa Fe Trail" and the surprisingly effective swing treatment of Verdi's "Anvil Chorus," the set offers an appealing introduction to Miller's musical world.--Stuart Broomer