Product DescriptionThis CD features two one night stand sessions from the great Ralph Flanagan And His Orchestra both of which were recorded at The Hotel Statler in New York City, firstly on the 16th of September 1950 and secondly on the 23rd of October 1951. In the early fifties Flanagan's was one of the top orchestras in the business. In the year from the 15th of March 1950 to 15th of March 1951 his band grossed over $500,000 dollars (in those days a considerable fortune) and the band played to over two million people. During a period of 594 consecutive days the band was booked for 574. Most of the polls of the period including Billboards annual disc jockey poll voted Ralph Flanagans Band number one. These recordings were made at the peak of his career. Towards the end of the fifties he gave up the big band and would then perform with small combos of five or six musicians. This is your chance to hear and collect rare 'live' recordings from from one of the finest bands of the period.