GENE KRUPA AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1942-1945 | The Chronogical Classics – 1096 (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The 11th CD in Classics' Gene Krupa series has the final recordings of his 1942 big band, all eight recordings by his short-lived "Band That Swings With Strings" and the debut of the Gene Krupa Trio. The last numbers by the 1942 band include four Anita O'Day vocals (highlighted by "Massachusetts" and "Murder, He Says"), trumpeter Roy Eldridge's vocal on "Knock Me a Kiss," and the instrumental "That Drummer's Band." A special bonus on this CD are two trio cuts from 1944 with clarinetist Buddy DeFranco and pianist Dodo Marmarosa that were originally issued as V-Discs. The string orchestra was a frivolity, and its best recording actually did not include the strings -- the pioneering bop vocal "What's This" featuring Dave Lambert and Buddy Stewart. The CD concludes with three selections ("Dark Eyes," "Body and Soul," and "Stompin' at the Savoy") by the Krupa trio with tenor-saxophonist Charlie Ventura. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist + Credits :