HARRY JAMES AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1941-1942 | The Chronogical Classics – 1132 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On the seventh Classics CD reissuing all of Harry James' early recordings, the trumpeter and his orchestra are heard just before and two months after Pearl Harbor. James' ensemble was rapidly rising to the top of its field. During this period of time, Helen Forrest became James' female vocalist and on her second session with the band she recorded a big hit in "I Don't Want to Walk Without You." Forrest is also in excellent form on "But Not for Me," "I Remember You," and "Skylark." Dick Haymes also has a few spots; best is "You've Changed" and "You Don't Know What Love Is." But most enjoyable are such James instrumentals as "My Melancholy Baby," "B-19," "Strictly Instrumental," and "The Clipper." Since the Columbia label has never reissued all of James' recordings (just sticking to endlessly repackaging the same hits), this Classics series is quite valuable for swing collectors and Harry James fans. Scott Yanow
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HARRY JAMES AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1942 | The Chronogical Classics – 1178 (2001) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This eighth installment in the Classics Harry James chronology assembles all of his Columbia studio recordings made between February 24 and July 22, 1942, beginning with four superb instrumentals. "By the Sleepy Lagoon," a pretty tone poem later parodied by Spike Jones as "Sloppy Lagoon," is followed with the boogie-woogie-based "Trumpet Blues and Cantabile," a slow sweet "Easter Parade," and an eminently danceable version of "Crazy Rhythm." One change that occurred in 1941 was the departure of tenor saxophonist Vido Musso and the arrival of young Gene "Corky" Corcoran. Much more noticeably, James was continuing to modify the sound of his band with instrumentation most often associated with European classical music. By now the string quartet (first added in January 1941) had expanded into a quintet with the addition of a third violin; Willard Culley began blowing French horn with the Harry James Orchestra on the session of June 5th, and by July 15th the string section had swollen to six fiddles and a cello. There are quite a number of delectable vocals by Helen Forrest (as well as a handful of less substantial ones by Jimmy Saunders) but the most useful and enduring tracks are the instrumentals, during which the interplay of rhythm, reeds, brass, and strings works uncommonly well. arwulf arwulf  
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HARRY JAMES AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1942-1944 | The Chronogical Classics – 1227 (2002) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This is an unusual Harry James reissue in that, after the first four selections (which are from July 31, 1942), the remainder of the disc consists of James' V-discs of 1942-1944. The Musicians Union's recording strike stopped all recording for at least 16 months and, in the case of James' label Columbia, nearly two-and-a-half years. The trumpeter's last studio date of 1942 resulted in the final of three Helen Forrest hits, "I've Heard That Song Before." His wartime band is heard on V-disc versions of such songs as "Two O'Clock Jump"; "Back Beat Boogie"; "Blue Lou"; "Charmaine" (which has particularly inventive writing for the string section); "I'll Walk Alone" (Kitty Kallen's first vocal with the band); and "I'm Beginning to See the Light," the latter cut a month before the commercially released hit version. This formerly rare material is taken from a period when Harry James led the most popular swing band in the world, and it will be of strong interest to swing fans. Scott Yanow  
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LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1940-1941 | The Chronogical Classics – 624 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In the period covered by this disc, Lionel Hampton led the last of his swing-era all-star sessions, left Benny Goodman's orchestra, and formed his own exciting big band. "Flying Home" was still in the near future, but there are a fair number of exciting selections on this transitional disc. Hampton's vibes are heard featured with the Nat King Cole Trio on four numbers (two of which also have the Hampton River Boys taking vocals) and the vibraphonist also jams with the 1941 version of the Spirits of Rhythm. After leaving Goodman, Hampton at first led a few small-group dates that included musicians drawn from his orchestra, including altoist/clarinetist Marshall Royal, pianist Sir Charles Thompson, and trumpeter Karl George. The big band's first, mostly uneventful session concludes this interesting disc. Scott Yanow
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BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1098 (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Despite competition from Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, and Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman largely held on to his popularity during the 1939-1940 period. The personnel was changing in his big band, but it was still a strong outfit with trumpeters Ziggy Elman and Jimmy Maxwell, trombonist Vernon Brown, Jerry Jerome on tenor, pianist Johnny Guarnieri, and singer Helen Forrest being significant voices. Among the better big band selections on this consistently swinging CD are "Zaggin' With Zig," "The Fable of the Rose," "Shake Down the Stars," and "I'm Nobody's Baby"; however, it is the three sextet numbers that take honors. "Till Tom Special," "The Sheik of Araby," and "Poor Butterfly" feature Goodman with guitarist Charlie Christian, Lionel Hampton, and either Count Basie or Guarnieri on piano. All of the Benny Goodman recordings from this era are well worth acquiring by swing fans. Scott Yanow  
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BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1131 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

During the time covered by this CD, Benny Goodman was stricken with sciatica and had to break up his big band for a few months. When he came back, his new orchestra only retained a few of the earlier musicians. This disc has the last recordings by his original big band (which he had formed in 1934) and has two different versions of his small group; his new big band did not record until November 13. Fortunately, Benny Goodman was wise enough to retain the services of the great electric guitarist Charlie Christian, who is heard in the earlier sextet with Lionel Hampton and the later septet with trumpeter Cootie Williams, tenor saxophonist Georgie Auld, and guest pianist Count Basie. The combo tracks include "Air Mail Special" and "Boy Meets Goy," "Royal Garden Blues," "As Long As I Live," and the riff-filled "Benny's Bugle." The better big band selections include "Crazy Rhythm" and "Mister Meadowlark" (featuring Helen Forrest). Fred Astaire has a guest vocal (and a bit of tap dancing) on "Who Cares." Scott Yanow  
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BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1940-1941 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1154 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (the one he organized after taking a few months off to partly recover from sciatica) is heard on this CD during their first recordings. Cootie Williams and Jimmy Maxwell are in the trumpet section, trombonist Lou McGarity and tenor saxophonist Georgie Auld have solo space, bassist Artie Bernstein drives the rhythm section, and Helen Forrest takes some fine vocals. Eddie Sauter's often-radical arrangements (including "Benny Rides Again," "Taking a Chance on Love," "Superman," and "Moonlight on the Ganges") really challenge the clarinetist and are quite often classic. In addition, an excellent small-group date with Williams, Auld, pianist Ken Kersey, and Charlie Christian includes "Breakfast Feud," "I Can't Give You Anything but Love," and "Gilly." Scott Yanow
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BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1941 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1202 (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

All of the master takes from Benny Goodman's recordings from a two-month period in early 1941 are on this CD. Helen Forrest, one of the best big band singers, has 13 vocals, including "The Mem'ry of a Rose," "This Is New," and "Oh! Look at Me Now." Trumpeter Cootie Williams, trombonist Lou McGarity, and tenor saxophonist Georgie Auld have some brief solos with the big band, Teddy Wilson plays with the orchestra (which he did not get a chance to do during the early days), and Eddie Sauter contributes some of the arrangements. Charlie Christian is showcased on "Solo Flight," while "Scarecrow" (from Buster Harding) is memorable. But the best session included is by the Benny Goodman Sextet (Williams, Auld, Christian, bassist Artie Bernstein, and drummer Jo Jones) with Count Basie guesting on piano. "Breakfast Feud," "On the Alamo," "I Found a New Baby," and "Gone With What Draft" are all gems. Recommended. Scott Yanow
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BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1941, Vol. 2 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1236 (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD in Classics' extensive Benny Goodman series starts out with the last Sextet date to feature Charlie Christian, including two songs ("Blues In B" and "Waitin" For Benny") performed by the band without Goodman during a rehearsal that was taped by an alert engineer. Otherwise, this CD consists of big band performances from Goodman's still-mighty orchestra, featuring trumpeters Cootie Williams (showcased on "Fiesta In Blue") and Jimmy Maxwell, trombonist Lou McGarity, and Georgie Auld on tenor. Helen Forrest has seven excellent vocals including "When The Sun Comes Out" and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," and there are diverse arrangements by the likes of Eddie Sauter, Jimmy Mundy, Edgar Sampson, and Margie Gibson. Several of these numbers are rarely reissued despite their high quality, so it is a pleasure to hear the complete sessions in chronological order by this memorable big band. Scott Yanow  
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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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HELEN FORREST - The Complete Helen Forrest with Benny Goodman (2001) 3xCD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Appearing with Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, and Harry James during the late '30s and early '40s, Helen Forrest became one of the most popular swing era singers -- even vocal authority Mel Tormé named her his favorite, male or female. Though her voice wasn't quite as clear as Doris Day's, Forrest was an excellent interpreter, and her sweet vocals proved a solid foil for the Benny Goodman band during 1940 and half of 1941. Collectors' Choice compiled her complete appearances with Goodman on three discs, though they're hardly overloaded at 55 tracks total. The package makes for a lot of great material, including her biggest hits while there, "How High the Moon" and "I Can't Love You Any More (Any More Than I Do)," the latter recorded with top swing guitarist Charlie Christian. Also featured is a previously unreleased track featuring Goodman's own competent vocal (reminiscent of Hoagy Carmichael) on "Jenny." by John Bush
Tracklist 1 :
1     Busy As a Bee 3:14
J. Meyer / B. Russell / Carl Sigman
2     What's the Matter With Me? 3:05
Sam M. Lewis / Terry Shand
3     What'll They Think of Next? 3:17
Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
4     How High the Moon 3:00
Nancy Hamilton / Morgan Lewis
5     Let's All Sing Together 3:10
Joe Audin / Joe Audino / Nick DiRocca / Bill Keesham
6     The Fable of the Rose 3:11
Josef Myrow / Bix Reichner
7     Shake Down the Stars 2:52
Eddie DeLange / James Van Heusen
8     Be Sure 3:00
Eddie DeLange / Hathaway
9     Yours Is My Heart Alone 3:01
Ludwig Herzer / Franz Lehár / Beda Fritz Loehner
10     The Sky Fell Down 3:02
Louis Alter / Edward Heyman
11     It Never Entered My Mind 3:02
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
12     Once More 2:28
Tiny Bradshaw / Edward Johnson / Bobby Plater
13     Buds Won't Bud 3:07
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
14     Devil May Care 2:44
Johnny Burke / Harry Warren
15     I'm Nobody's Baby 2:46
Milton Ager / Benny Davis / Lester Santly
16     I Can't Love You Any More (Any More Than I Do) 2:47
Herbert Magidson / Allie Wrubel
17     Ev'ry Sunday Afternoon 3:21
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
18     The Moon Won't Talk 3:18
Helen Bliss / Charlie Hathaway
19     Mister Meadowlark 3:12
Walter Donaldson / Johnny Mercer
20     I Can't Love You Any More (Any More Than I Do) 2:45
Herbert Magidson / Allie Wrubel
Tracklist 2 :
1     I Can't Resist You 3:16
Walter Donaldson
2     Dreaming Out Loud 3:05
Sam Coslow
3     Li'l Boy Love 3:02
Frederick Hollander / Frank Loesser
4     Nobody 2:22
Roger Edens
5     The Man I Love 3:52
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
6     Taking a Chance on Love 3:11
Vernon Duke / Ted Fetter / John Latouche
7     Cabin the Sky 3:18
Vernon Duke / John Latouche
8     Hard to Get 3:19
Arthur Shaftel
9     These Things You Left Me 3:15
Harold Dickinson / Sidney Lippman
10     More Than You Know 4:08
Edward Eliscu / Billy Rose / Vincent Youmans
11     Yes, My Darling Daughter 2:51
Jack Lawrence
12     I'm Always Chasing Rainbows 2:55
Harry Carroll / Joseph McCarthy
13     I Left My Heart in Your Hand 3:04
Leonard Feather / Fletcher Henderson
14     I Hear a Rhapsody 2:59
Jack Baker / George Fragos / Dick Gasparre
15     It's Always You 3:10
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
16     Corn Silk 3:11
Hal Bellis / Irving Kahal / Charles E. King / Wayne King
17     Birds of a Feather 2:58
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen / Joe South
Tracklist 3 :
1     Your Dangerous 2:27
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
2     The Mem'ry of a Rose 3:15
Jimmy Kennedy / Richard Young
3     This Is New 3:18
Ira Gershwin / Kurt Weill
4     Perfidia (Tonight) 3:19
Alberto Dominguez / Milton Leeds
5     Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered 3:21
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6     Jenny 3:28
Ira Gershwin / Kurt Weill
7     Lazy River 2:35
Sidney Arodin / Hoagy Carmichael
8     Yours 3:17
Augustin Rodriguez / Gonzalo Roig / Jack Sherr
9     You Lucky People, You 3:11
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
10     Oh! Look at Me Now 2:51
Joe Bushkin / John DeVries
11     My Sister and I 3:25
Alex Kramer / Joan Whitney / Hy Zaret
12     Amapola 3:11
Albert Gamse / José María Lacalle
13     Good Evenin', Good Lookin' 3:13
Artie Manners
14     I Found a Million Dollar Baby (In a Five and Ten Cent Store) 3:15
Mort Dixon / Billy Rose / Harry Warren
15     When the Sun Comes Out 2:57
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
16     (When Your Heart's on Fire) Smoke Gets in Your Eyes 3:16
Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern
17     Soft as Spring 3:06
Alec Wilder
18     Down, Down, Down (What a Song) 2:24
Tommy Collins / Don Redman