Artie Shaw Begin The Beguine CD

Artie Shaw's band was one of the more interesting and innovative of the Swing Era. Not only did Shaw generate hip, brassy dance music on the order of the day, he also experimented with his sound by adding strings to his ensemble. BEGIN THE BEGUINE collects some of Shaw's best sides from the late 1930s and early '40s, including his definitive version of the title cut, Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust," and some of Shaw's own fine tunes, including the creeping, sultry "Nightmare," and "Any Old Time," which has Billie Holiday guesting on vocals.

While most of BEGIN THE BEGUINE features a standard big band, "Temptation" and the Ellington-esque "Frenesi" employ an orchestral section, lending the whole a lush, sweeping sound. Shaw's clarinet sails over these fine arrangements, all of which display a sophisticated balance between complex, classically influenced thinking and energized, wildly dynamic swing. With its variety, remastered sound, and the inclusion of Shaw's biggest and most memorable hits, this 20-track collection is a fine one-stop purchase for swing fans looking to add Shaw to their collections.

Recorded between 1938 & 1940. Includes liner notes by Chris Albertson.

Personnel: Artie Shaw (clarinet); Tony Pastor (vocals, tenor saxophone); Helen Forrest, Billie Holiday (vocals); Dave Barbour, Al Avola, Bobby Sherwood (guitar); Al Hendrickson (electric guitar); Robert Barene, T. Klages, B. Bower, Jerry Joyce, Mark Levant, Dave Cracov, Bob Morrow, E. Lamas, Alex Law, Alex Beller, Harry Bluestone (violin); K. Collins, Jack Gray, Stanley Spiegelman, David Sturkin, Allan Harshman (viola); Fred Goerner, Julius Tannenbaum, Irving Lipschultz (cello); Morton Ruderman (flute); Phil Nemoli (oboe); Bus Bassey, George Koenig, Blake Reynolds, Bud Carlton, Jack Stacey, Neely Plumb, Les Robinson, Hank Freeman (alto saxophone); Ronnie Perry , Georgie Auld, Clark Dick, Jerry Jerome (tenor saxophone); George Thow, Manny Klein, Harry Geller, George Wendt, Chuck Peterson, John Best , Charlie Margulis, J. Cathcart, Claude Bowen, Billy Butterfield, Bernie Privin (trumpet); Jack Cave (flugelhorn); Bill Rank, Ted Vesely, Babe Bowman, George Arus, Jack Jenney, Randall Miller, Les Jenkins, Russell Brown , Ray Conniff, Vernon Brown, Harry Rodgers (trombone); Bob Kitsis, Johnny Guarnieri, Les Burness (piano); Carl Maus, Nick Fatool, Cliff Leeman, Buddy Rich (drums).

Arranger: William Grant Still.

Personnel includes: Artie Shaw (leader, clarinet); Tony Pastor (vocals, tenor saxophone); Billie Holiday, Helen Forrest (vocals); Les Robinson (alto saxophone); Chuck Peterson, Claude Bowen, Bernie Priven (trumpet); George Arus, Ted Vesley (trombone); Les Burness (piano); Al Avola (guitar); Sid Weiss (bass); Cliff Leeman, Buddy Rich (drums).