ARTIE SHAW AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 965 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After an extensive series of recordings in 1937, Artie Shaw & His Orchestra did not record for seven months. When they returned to the studios, it was with a new contract for the Bluebird label. Their first Bluebird recording resulted in a giant hit with "Begin the Beguine," which immediately catapulted the orchestra to the top of the swing world. The band's personnel had become stronger -- Billie Holiday (whose lone recording with Shaw is here, "Any Old Time") and Helen Forrest joined Tony Pastor on vocals -- and such memorable charts as "Indian Love Call," "Back Bay Shuffle," a remake of "Nightmare," "Non-Stop Flight," "What Is This Thing Called Love," "Softly As in a Morning Sunrise," "Copenhagen," and "It Had to Be You" are among the highlights. All of the recordings by Artie Shaw & His Orchestra in 1938 are on this highly enjoyable disc. Scott Yanow
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ARTIE SHAW AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1007 (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

As 1939 began, Artie Shaw had the most popular band in jazz, topping Benny Goodman and recording best-selling records for Bluebird. This CD covers a two-month period, as Shaw's band (which features tenor saxophonist Georgie Auld, Tony Pastor on vocals and tenor, drummer Buddy Rich, and singer Helen Forrest) showed that they could swing as hard as anyone. Highlights include "Lover Come Back to Me," "Carioca," "Rose Room," and "I'm Comin' Virginia," although there are also a lot of so-so Forrest vocals. Scott Yanow
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ARTIE SHAW AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939, Vol. 2 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1045 (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although the pressure of being a sudden celebrity and the leader of America's number one swing band was clearly getting to Artie Shaw in 1939, his band was excellent, his playing was top-notch, and his solidly selling records kept on being made. The sixth Classics CD in their Artie Shaw series (which reissues all of the master takes from the clarinetist's sessions as a leader) includes such fine numbers as "One Night Stand," "One Foot in the Gutter," "Traffic Jam," "Serenade to a Savage," and Shaw's "Moonray." The key players include Shaw, tenorman Georgie Auld, singer Helen Forrest, drummer Buddy Rich, and Tony Pastor on tenor and vocals. Scott Yanow
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ARTIE SHAW AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1087 (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Artie Shaw reached the pinnacle of stardom in 1939, becoming a celebrity and having his band rated at the top of the swing world, at least in popularity. But Shaw did not enjoy the experience much, was under constant pressure, and in late November he left the bandstand and fled to Mexico. His band (which struggled on briefly under Georgie Auld's leadership) broke up a few months later. Running out of money, on March 3, 1940, Shaw gathered together a large studio orchestra (with a full string orchestra) and recorded six songs, including one ("Frenesi") that became a giant hit. This CD concludes with part of a second date (from May 13) with a different studio band. It would be a few months before Artie Shaw formed his third orchestra. Despite the turmoil, there are fine performances to be heard on this intriguing disc, the seventh Shaw CD put out by Classics. Scott Yanow
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