The Great Band Era
Compilation album by
Various Artists
Released1965
Recorded1936-1945
GenreSwing
LabelReader's Digest/RCA Victor

The Great Band Era is a compilation album featuring Swing music from 1936-1945. Reader's Digest released the album in 1965. In 1988, the Recording Industry Association of America certified 9 million sales of the album – making it one of the top selling albums ever within the United States. The album was released as a ten LP album box set. The album included many swing favorites, as well as new recordings.

Promotion

Reader's Digest sent out a free promotional record before releasing the album. Voiced by Vaughn Monroe, the record boasted that in The Great Band Era, RCA Victor sound engineers had "remove[d] all the irritating noise and scratchiness that was always present on the original records, even when they were brand new."[1]

Music

The records contains mostly swing standards by major swing bands. It included an entire LP of "theme songs", or songs particularly associated or played exceptionally often by a band.[2] Besides previous swing recordings, the album also contained some song versions released for the first time, including a version of Blues in the Night by Tommy Dorsey and Jo Stafford.[3]

Restored Audio

This was one of the first LP releases to introduce the concept of audio restoration to the general public. although that term was not yet in general use. As mentioned above, a free promotional paper record was sent to Reader's Digest subscribers introducing the set, with Vaughn Monroe presenting "Before" and "After" versions of one of the songs to demonstrate what had been done to enhance the sound. As described in the booklet accompanying the records, each song was transferred from a new matrix, then electronically treated to remove surface noise as well as "ticks" and "pops." Although there is still some residual surface noise on a few of the tracks, the restoration overall was remarkably successful.

Sales

According to the RIAA, The Great Band Era sold over 9 million copies in the United States, making it one of the best selling-albums of all time within the country.[4] In addition, the Australian Recording Industry Association certified the album as gold in 1999.[5]

Track list

From Discogs.[6]

Side 2
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Nightmare"Artie ShawArtie Shaw and His Orchestra 
2."Kaye's Melody"Sammy KayeSammy Kaye 
3."Goodbye"Gordon JenkinsBenny Goodman and His Orchestra 
4."Make Believe Ballroom"Andy Razaf; Paul DennikerCharlie Barnet and His Glen Island Casino Orchestra 
5."Flying Home"Lionel Hampton; Eddie DeLange; Benny GoodmanLionel Hampton and His Orchestra 
6."Snowfall"Claude ThornhillClaude Thornhill and His Orchestra 
Side 3
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Christopher Columbus"Leon "Chu" Berry; Andy RazafBenny Goodman and His Orchestra 
2."The Music Goes Round and Round"Edward Farley; Mike Riley; Red HodgsonTommy Dorsey and His Clambake Seven 
3."When Did You Leave Heaven?"Richard A. Whiting; Walter BullockGuy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians 
4."All My Life"Sam H. Stept; Sidney MitchellFats Waller and Hish Rhythm 
5."Moon Over Miami"Edgar Leslie; Joseph A. BurkeEddy Duchin and His Orchestra 
6."These Foolish Things Remind Me of You"Harry Link; Holt Marvell; Jack StracheyBenny Goodman and His Orchestra 
Side 4
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe"Harry Warren; Johnny MercerTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
2."There I've Said It Again"Bill Evans; Herbie MannVaughn Monroe and His Orchestra 
3."Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive"Harold Arlen; Johnny MercerArtie Shaw and His Orchestra 
4."Symphony"Alex Alstone; Jack LawrenceFreddy Martin and His Orchestra 
5."It's Been a Long, Long Time"Jule Styne; Sammy CahnCharlie Spivak and His Orchestra 
6."Sentimental Journey"Ben Homer; Bud Green; Les BrownHal McIntyre and His Orchestra 
Side 5
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Bob White"Bernie Hanighen; Johnny MercerBenny Goodman and His Orchestra 
2."A Sailboat in the Moonlight"Carmen Lombardo; John Jacob LoebGuy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians 
3."A Study in Brown"Larry ClintonBenny Goodman and His Orchestra 
4."Moonlight and Shadows"Friedrich Hollaender; Leo RobinEddy Duchin and His Orchestra 
5."Once in a While"Bud Green; Michael EdwardsTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
6."Goodnight My Love"Harry Revel; Mack GordonShep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra 
Side 6
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Blue Rain"Jimmy Van Heusen; Johhny MercerGlenn Miller and His Orchestra 
2."It Had to Be You"Gus Kahn; Isham JonesEarl Hines and His Orchestra 
3."I'm Making Believe"James V. Monaco; Mack GordonHal McIntyre and His Orchestra 
4."Mairzy Doats (and Dozy Doats)"Al Hoffman; Jerry Livingston; Milton DrakeThe Four King Sisters with Male Chorus 
5."You Always Hurt the One You Love"Allan Roberts; Doris FisherSammy Kaye and His Orchestra 
6."Poinciana"Nat Simon; Buddy BernierDavid Rose and His Orchestra 
Side 7
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Dipsy Doodle"Larry ClintonTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
2."The Moon Got in My Eyes"Arthur Johnston; Joseph A. BurkeHal Kemp and His Orchestra 
3."So Rare"Jerry Herst; John Rufus SharpeGuy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians 
4."Afraid to Dream"Harry Revel; Mack GordonBenny Goodman and His Orchestra 
5."Vieni, Vieni"Rudy Vallée and the Gentlemen SongstersRudy Vallée and His Connecticut Yankees 
6."That Old Feeling"Lew Brown; Sammy FainGuy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians 
Side 8
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."I'll Be Seeing You"Irving Kahal; Sammy FainTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
2."There Goes That Song Again"Jule Styne; Sammy CahnSammy Kaye and His Orchestra 
3."Dance with a Dolly"Jimmy Eaton; Mickey Leader; Terry ShandTony Pastor and His Orchestra 
4."I Dream of You (More Than You Dream I Do)"Edna Osser; Marjorie GoetschiusTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
5."Rum and Coca-Cola"Jeri Sullavan; Morey Amsterdam; Paul BaronVaughn Monroe and His Orchestra 
6."San Fernando Valley"Gordon JenkinsThe Four King Sisters 
Side 9
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Music, Maestro, Please"Allie Wrubel; Herbert MagidsonTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
2."Bei mir bist Du schön"Jacob Jacobs; Sammy Cahn; Saul Chaplin; Sholom SecundaGuy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians 
3."I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart"Duke Ellington; Henry Nemo; Irving Mills; John RedmondBenny Goodman and His Orchestra 
4."I Have Eyes"Leo Robin; Ralph RaingerArtie Shaw and His Orchestra 
5."Heart and Soul"Frank Loesser; Hoagy CarmichaelLarry Clinton and His Orchestra 
6."I've Got a Pocket Full of Dreams"James V. Monaco; Johnny BurkeHal Kemp and His Orchestra 
Side 10
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."For Me and My Gal"E. Ray Goetz; Edgar Leslie; George W. MeyerAbe Lyman and His Californians 
2."Manhattan Serenade"Harold Adamson; Louis AlterTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
3."All or Nothing at All"Arthur Altman; Jack LawrenceFreddy Martin and His Orchestra 
4."A Pink Cocktail for a Blue Lady"Ben Oakland; Herbert MagidsonGlenn Miller 
5."Brazil"Ary BarrosoEnric Madriguera and His Orchestra 
6."It's Always You"Jimmy Van Heusen; Johnny BurkeGlenn Miller and His Orchestra 
Side 11
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."The Flat Foot Floogee"Bud Green; Slam Stewart; Slim GaillardBenny Goodman and His Orchestra 
2."I Double Dare You"Jimmy Eaton; Terry ShandLarry Clinton and His Orchestra 
3."You Go to My Head"Haven Gillespie; John Frederick CootsJan Savitt and His Top Hatters 
4."Says My Heart"Burton Lane; Frank Loesser; Harriet HillardOzzie Nelson and His Orchestra 
5."My Reverie"Larry ClintonLarry Clinton and His Orchestra 
6."You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby"Harry Warren; Johnny MercerTommy Dorsey and His Clambake Seven 
Side 12
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Taking a Chance on Love"John La Touche; Ted Fetter; Vernon DukeSammy Kaye and His Orchestra 
2."Moonlight Mood"Harold Adamson; Peter DeRoseGlenn Miller and His Orchestra 
3."Dearly Beloved"Jerome Kern; Johnny MercerAlvino Rey and His Orchestra 
4."Let's Get Lost"Frank Loesser; Jimmy McHughTeddy Powell and His Orchestra 
5."That Old Black Magic"Harold Arlen; Johnny MercerGlenn Miller and His Orchestra 
6."Warsaw Concerto"Richard AddinsellFreddy Martin and His Orchestra 
Side 13
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Blue Orchids"Hoagy CarmichaelTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
2."Don't Worry 'bout Me"Rube Bloom; Ted KoehlerLes Brown and His Orchestra 
3."Our Love"Bob Emmerich; Buddy Bernier; Larry ClintonTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
4."Scatter-Brain"Frankie Masters; Johnny Burke; Keene-BeanFreddy Martin and His Orchestra 
5."Wishing"Buddy DeSylvaSkinnay Ennis and His Orchestra 
6."Sunrise Serenade"Frankie Carle; Jack LawrenceHal Kemp and His Orchestra 
Side 14
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Serenade in Blue"Harry Warren; Mack GordonGlenn Miller and His Orchestra 
2."Jingle, Jangle, Jingle"Frank Loesser; Joseph J. LileyFreddy Martin and His Orchestra 
3."Blues in the Night"Harold Arlen; Johnny MercerTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
4."When the Lights Go on Again"Bennie Benjamin; Eddie Seiler; Sol MarcusVaughn Monroe and His Orchestra 
5."Strip Polka"Johnny MercerAlvino Rey and His Orchestra 
6."Tangerine"Johnny Mercer; Victor SchertzingerVaughn Monroe and His Orchestra 
Side 15
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Do I Love You?"Cole PorterArtie Shaw and His Orchestra 
2."And the Angels Sing"Johnny Mercer; Ziggy ElmanZiggy Elman and His Orchestra 
3."I Cried for You"Abe Lyman; Arthur Freed; Gus ArnheimBunny Berigan and His Orchestra 
4."Heaven Can Wait"Eddie DeLange; Jimmy Van HeusenTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
5."The Lamp Is Low"Bert Shefter; Maurice Ravel; Mitchell Parish; Peter DeRoseGlenn Miller and His Orchestra 
6."The Umbrella Man"Larry Stock; Vincent Rose; James CavanaughSammy Kaye and His Orchestra 
Side 16
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."I Don't Want to Walk Without You"Frank Loesser; Jule StyneArtie Shaw and His Orchestra 
2."Sleepy Lagoon"Eric Coates; Jack LawrenceTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
3."Deep in the Heart of Texas"Don Swander; June HersheyAlvino Rey and His Orchestra 
4." Skylark"Hoagy Carmichael; Johnny MercerEarl Hines and His Orchestra 
5."Rose O'Day"Al Lewis; Charles TobiasFreddy Martin and His Orchestra 
6."Moonlight Cocktail"Kim Gannon; Luckey RobertsGlenn Miller and His Orchestra 
Side 17
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Blueberry Hill"Al Lewis; Larry Stock; Vincent RoseGlenn Miller and His Orchestra 
2."All This and Heaven Too"Eddie Delange; Jimmy Van HeusenCharlie Barnet and His Orchestra 
3."We Three (My Echo, My Shadow and Me)"Dick Robertson; Nelson Cogane; Sammy MyselsBob Chester and His Orchestra 
4."Ferryboat Serenade"Eldo Di Lazzaro; Harold Adamson; Mario PanzeriGray Gordon and His Tic-Toc Rhythm 
5."Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)"Johnny Mercer; Rube BloomTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
6."There I Go"Hy Zaret; Irving WeiserVaughn Monroe and His Orchestra 
Side 18
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."I Hear a Rhapsody"Dick Gasparre; George Fragos; Jack BakerCharlie Barnet and His Orchestra 
2."Daddy"Bobby TroupSammy Kaye and His Orchestra 
3."Chattanooga Choo Choo"Harry Warren; Mack GordonGlenn Miller and His Orchestra 
4."The Hut-Sut Song"Jack Owens; Leo V. Killion; Ted McMichaelFreddy Martin and His Orchestra 
5."I Guess I'll Have to Dream the Rest"Bud Green; Martin Block; Mickey StonerGlenn Miller and His Orchestra 
6."It All Comes Back to Me Now"Alex Kramer; Hy Zaret; Joan Whitney KramerHal Kemp and His Orchestra 
Side 19
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Frenesi"Alberto Dominguez; Bob Russell; Ray CharlesArtie Shaw and His Orchestra 
2."The Nearness of You"Hoagy Carmichael; Ned WashingtonLarry Clinton and His Orchestra 
3."The Woodpecker Song"Bruno Cherubini; Eldo DiLazzaro; Harold AdamsonGlenn Miller and His Orchestra 
4."Imagination"Jimmy Van Heusen; Johnny BurkeTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
5."With the Wind and the Rain in Your Hair"Clara Edwards; Jack LawrenceBob Chester and His Orchestra 
6."Sierra Sue"Joseph B. CareyGlenn Miller and His Orchestra 
Side 20
No.TitleWriter(s)ArtistLength
1."Perfidia"Alberto Dominguez; Milton LeedsGlenn Miller and His Orchestra 
2."Dolores"Frank Loesser; Louis AlterTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
3."This Time the Dream's on Me"Harold Arlen; Johnny MercerArtie Shaw and His Orchestra 
4."The Things I Love"Harold Barlow; Lew HarrisJan Savitt and His Top Hatters 
5."You and I"Meredith WillsonTommy Dorsey and His Orchestra 
6."Yours (Quiéreme Mucho)"Gonzalo Roig; Jack SherrXavier Cugat and His Orchestra 

References

  1. "Advertisements: Reader's Digest". Vaughn Monroe Appreciation Society. 5 June 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  2. Graham. "Swing, Then and Now". University of Virginia. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  3. Cooper, John (2007). "TOMMY DORSEY: THE KING OF SWING/DANCE BANDS". Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  4. "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. 18 June 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  5. "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 1999 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  6. "Various - The Great Band Era (1936-1945)". Discogs. 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
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