Live recording 1939 - late career
Lee Watkins | Severna Park, Maryland USA | 08/07/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a live recording at the Hotel New Yorker in 1939. Doesn't include most of the "hits" associated with Whiteman (Rhapsody in Blue, Whispering) nor many of the famous names from the earlier days of his orchestra like Bix Beiderbecke, Dorsey Bros., Bing Crosby...) but does include folks like Charlie Teagarden and the Modernaires singers who later joined Glenn Miller's band. Sound quality is pretty good considering the age, some surface noise but not enough to be annoying. But his big band is tight and swinging, and the music is wonderful in the live venue. This would be a good second disc if you already have one of the Paul Whiteman compilations like "The King of Jazz" on ASV since it gives a great sense of what the band was like live. Set list:
1. Intro / American Patrol
2. Scatterbrain
3. Ragtime Cowboy Joe
4. On a Little Street in Singapore
5. Stompin' at the Savoy
6. Bless You
7. The Girl Friend
8. Swingin' on a Teagarden Gate
9. Go Fly a Kite
10. Medly: What I'll Do / Persian Rug / I Kiss Your Hand Madame
11. What's New
12. Three Little Words
13. Monstro the Whale
14. Down South Camp Meeting
15. Honestly
16. Can I Help It
17. Now and Then
18. El Rancho Grande"