Search - Dorsey Brothers :: Volume 4

Last volume is good, but not the best

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 07/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the fourth and concluding volume in Jazz Oracle's series on the Dorsey Brothers. By far the best session is the July 15, 1930, date recorded in London with Jimmy Dorsey and a Spike Hughes-led rhythm section. Five selections (one alternate take) were made, and they all swing mightily. Jimmy plays both alto and clarinet on each tune (switching from one to the other with lightning speed), and these recordings are magnificent. The remaining selections don't come close to these sides in quality, though some have their moments. All are big band recordings, all feature vocals, all are pop tunes of the day. Bunny Berigan is on many of them, however, and occasionally he takes a brief solo that adds interest (SHE REMINDS ME OF YOU, JUDY, and I'VE HAD MY MOMENTS are good examples). Only a few sides offer no jazz interest at all; the rest reveal glimpses here and there of jazz flavorings. This is dance band music with only a few titles coming under the "hot" description. Dorsey fans will enjoy this CD as will dance band aficionados. The jazzier sides appear on the earlier Jazz Oracle issues."