WOODY HERMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1090 (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This entry in the chronological rundown of Woody Herman recordings focuses on all of his 1937 and 1938 Decca recordings. The Band That Plays the Blues was still searching for a style that would click with a public hungry for all swing music, and the song selection is a combination of standards, blues, a couple of boogie-woogies, and a stray novelty or two like "Flat Foot Floogie." It also features the oddball "Laughing Boy Blues" (his only hit in 1938) and "River Bed Blues," the first recording by the small group within the band, the Woodchoppers. The best was still to come. Cub Koda
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ARTIE SHAW AND HIS NEW MUSIC – 1937 | The Classics Chronological Series – 929 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although Artie Shaw's big band did not catch on in 1937, they did record regularly for Brunswick, generally featured superior songs (with a few vocal novelties tossed in), and had impressive musicianship. On the third of the Classics label's Artie Shaw records, highlights include a few eccentric vocals by Leo Watson; the two-part "Blues March"; the original recording of Shaw's theme, "Nightmare"; and fine versions of "Just You, Just Me," "Free for All," and "Nonstop Flight." The clarinetist-leader, Tony Pastor on tenor, and trumpeter John Best are the band's main soloists, but Artie Shaw would have to wait until 1938 before hitting it big. Scott Yanow
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