Big Band Dixieland [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED]
There is a simple logic which dictates that band leaders are by background musicians, people with an in-depth knowledge of music born from experience, and the main instrument they play is self-evident - this certainly runs true for most of the successful big bands which arose in the 1930s and 40s. The Dorsey Brothers, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Lionel Hampton, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, even Vaughn Monroe in his earlier days - their audiences were left in no doubt as to their skills. On the other hand, a band leader whilst playing his instrument can't really be in strict control of the band members, an argument perhaps for a leader without such skills? Whatever, on band which shared the spoils of success was led by some time singer whose greatest claim to fame, at least superficially was that he was the brother of top male vocalist of the era - without Bing, would there still be Bob? Presented here is a slice of Bob Crosby and his orchestra, also the unit within, The Bob Cars, all from the peak period of the band's success between 1936 and 1940. Superb arrangements and musicianship, tunes to enjoy through the bleakness of the Great Depression, the credit goes not just to the boys in the band but to the guy that kept them happy, and together, Bob Crosby. The fact that Bob Crosby couldn't write music or arrange, or play an instrument (Okay, he could sing a bit) did not hurt his career one little bit. Always destined to be in the shadow of big brother Bing (they were born ten years apart), Bob got on with the job of fronting a very good line up of musicians and playing the music people wanted. The band's forte was 'Big Band' arrangements in a Dixieland style, and this new Jasmine CD focuses on those original recordings, 24 titles including favourites like "Honky Tonk Train Blues" and "South Rampart Street Parade".