(Paul Whiteman was a pioneer of orchestral Jazz and pop in the 1920s. His influence dropped to almost nothing by the 30s and into the 40s, but his bands were always top flight and he hired the best musicians and Jazz men and paid them well and treated them well. His Paul Whiteman's Swing Wing small group sides in the latter 30s are his contribution to the Swing era on Decca.)
Great sound quality. Capitol had top sound right from their beginning in 1942.
Except for American in Paris and Rhapsody in Blue, these are all from 1942 - 1945.
*I don't think there has been a discussion of the famous Paul Whiteman/Billie Holiday recording of "TRAVELIN' LIGHT". A classic side with BH in top voice. She was billed as "Lady Day" on the original label b/c she was under contract to Columbia who obviously looked the other way. Don't know why she did the side, but it came out great.
1. I've Found a New Baby - modern and bouncy
2. Serenade in Blue - Martha Tilton sounding good
3. General Jumped at Dawn - lively and danceable
4. (I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo - great alternative to the Miller recording.
5. Trav'lin' Light - masterpiece! "Lady Day" on the vocal and two great trombone solos by Skip Layton
6. Old Music Master - great number with a hot trumpet, but the rhythm shifts back and forth in the song which might make it tough for dancers.
7. I'm Old Fashioned - Martha Tilton on an unreleased ballad side
8. You Were Never Lovelier - ballad w Fred Astaire clone
9. San - lively and it may be a recreation of Whiteman's 1920s recording b/c the arrangement is a 20s chart.
10. Wang Wang Blues - same as above
11. American in Paris - classic Gershwin - melodic, rhythmic and painless to listen to.
12. Rhapsody in Blue - It's the RIB, dudes! If you listen to 20th century American music from the 20s, 30s and 40s, this is a must.
