BUNNY BERIGAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1936-1937 | The Classics Chronological Series – 749 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

These 23 Berigan sides chronicle a time when the trumpeter was in between being a sideman and putting together his own band. After scoring several solo triumphs with Tommy Dorsey's outfit in 1937 ("Marie," "Song of India"), Berigan organized a mid-sized combo which included such standouts as tenor saxophonist George Auld, pianist Joe Bushkin, and drummer George Wettling. The heyday to come, with Buddy Rich behind the drum kit and a signature reading of "I Can't Get Started," were still about a year off. In the meantime, Berigan and company made out fine with a mix of tight arrangements and the maestro's top-notch solo work. This Classics disc features a sampling of those small group recordings ("All God's Chillun' Got Rhythm," "Swanee River"), plus some of Berigan's first sides with his big band. In spite of a few questionable transfers here and there, the disc has good sound quality throughout. Be that as it may, this installment in Classics' chronological series is still best suited for seasoned Berigan fans. Stephen Cook  
Tracklist :
1     That Foolish Feeling 2:47
Harold Adamson / Jimmy McHugh
Vocals – Art Gentry
2     Where Are You? 3:08
Harold Adamson / Jimmy McHugh
Vocals – Art Gentry    
3     In a Little Spanish Town 2:42
Sam M. Lewis / Mabel Wayne / Joe Young
4     The Goona Goo 2:50
Fred E. Ahlert / Harry Reser / Joe Young
Vocals – Art Gentry    
5     Who's Afraid of Love? 2:47
Sidney Mitchell / Lew Pollack
Vocals – Art Gentry    
6     One in a Million 2:40
Sidney Mitchell / Lew Pollack
Vocals – Art Gentry
7     Blue Lou 2:46
Irving Mills / Edgar Sampson
8     I'm Gonna Kiss Myself Goodbye 2:27
Mack Gordon
Vocals – Johnny Hauser    
9     Big Boy Blue 2:13
Dan Howell / Jack Lawrence / Peter Tinturin
Vocals – Johnny Hauser
10     Dixieland Shuffle 2:54
Bob Haggart / Gil Rodin    
11     Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love) 3:10
Cole Porter
12     You Can't Run Away from Love Tonight 3:00
Al Dubin / Harry Warren
Vocals – Carol McKay
13     'Cause My Baby Says It's So 2:48
Al Dubin / Harry Warren
Vocals – Bunny Berigan
14     Carelessly 3:06
Norman Ellis / Nick A. Kenny
Vocals – Carol McKay
15     All Dark People Are Light on Their Feet 2:22
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
Vocals – Ford Leary    
16     The First Time I Saw You 2:16
Allie Wrubel
Vocals – Ford Leary    
17     Love Is a Merry-Go-Round 3:00
Rube Bloom / Johnny Mercer
Vocals – Sue Mitchell     
18     The Image of You 2:50
Fred E. Ahlert / Joe Young
Vocals – Sue Mitchell     
19     I'm Happy, Darling, Dancing With You 2:59
Fred E. Ahlert / Joe Young
Vocals – Sue Mitchell
20     Swanee River 2:20
Stephen Foster
21     All God's Chillun Got Rhythm 2:20
Walter Jurmann / Gus Kahn / Bronislaw Kaper
Vocals – Ruth Bradley
22     The Lady from Fifth Avenue 2:26
Teddy Powell / Walter Samuels / Leonard Whitcup
Vocals – Ruth Bradley
23     Let's Have Another Cigarette 2:39
Herbert Magidson / Allie Wrubel
Vocals – Ruth Bradley