Search - Glenn Miller :: Glenn Miller Story, Vols. 1-4

Good, but could've been better...

Micaloneus | the Cosmos | 06/29/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Where to start? Well, it's a good collection no doubt about it, with some of the early RCA/Bluebird classics and choice cuts from the radio broadcasts. Also, the first two discs are what make this set (Volume 1- 4) really worth getting. Because, even if you already own the RCA Complete Recordings (13 disc set), these recordings of Millers work from the 1920's up to his signing with RCA/Victor are really worth hearing and having. So if you were to buy just one of these Avid volumes, this is the one. Though, one great song "A Blues Serenade" from 1935 was missing. That's a shame. But here's the one big problem with all these Avid sets for Glenn Miller, the sound quality is heavy on the noise reduction. Some may like it, but I did not. That's what's keeping me from giving this collection the 4 to 5 star range. Where as the RCA collection (5 stars) breathes much better, and has all the sparkle and fire that is missing from these Avid collections. So, if you're not afraid of a little surface noise, go for the RCA collection. Finally, the Avid booklet is alright, but not great. For example, the pictures are rather small and the story wasn't in depth. Where as, the RCA booklet was much better on both counts. So once again, if you just want to sample one of these Avid sets, this is the one. It's worth the price for the rare jewels on disc one and two.



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MILLER'S EARLY MAGIC STILL SHINES!

A. POLLOCK | PLYMOUTH, DEVON United Kingdom | 08/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

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There are many Glenn Miller collections available, fuelled by the combination of his individual big band sound, the 1954 biographical movie, and his mysterious disappearance whilst in flight over the English Channel. His name continues at the forefront of popular music and with 2004 marking his birth centenary THE GLENN MILLER STORY is a series of 20 CD's in five volumes which provide the ultimate tribute and adds so much additional material to the usual popular numbers which normally turn up on compilations. This set turns the clock back to 1926 and continues forward to 1939 beginning with Miller's solo career as a trombonist working with the Ben Pollack Band and progressing through various other bands including those of Benny Goodman, and the Dorsey Brothers and these varied and interesting tracks fill the first CD and a few tracks of the second and give a good historical indication concerning Miller's early aspirations and talent as a soloist within the confines of big bands. Obviously the experience enabled him to form his own embryonic band in 1935 and then involve himself in finding the band's own identity and individual sound which would lead to growing popularity as the big-band era peaked during the late 30's into the 40's. This collection contains a mixture of studio and live recordings with his vocalists, Ray Eberle, Marion Hutton and occasionally Tex Beneke well to the fore in their interpretations of popular songs of the period like THIS CAN'T BE LOVE, CHANGE PARTNERS, DEEP PURPLE and STAIRWAY TO THE STARS. The spotlight also shines on the band's popular hits, LITTLE BROWN JUG and MOONLIGHT SERENADE as well as equally impressive numbers MY BLUE HEAVEN and BY THE WATERS OF MINNETONKA. The sound quality is quite superb for recordings of this age which are well documented within the extensive notes and big band line-up with dates fitting the chronological running order. There's certainly enough quality here to want to seek out the other four volumes in this excellent anthology.

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