Ray Anthony Have You Heard CD

In 1942 Ray Anthony enlisted in the US Navy and was placed in charge of his own Service Band, The Dolphins. The band was assigned to the Pacific War Zone. Concerts were played on land and aboard ships, earning The Dolphins the title "Top Service Band In

An alumnus of the Glenn Miller and Jimmy Dorsey orchestras, trumpeter Ray Anthony made his first records with his own band in Chicago during 1946 and 1947 before moving to Los Angeles during the spring of 1949 and initiating a 13-year business relationship with Capitol. The U.K.'s Montpellier label presents 23 uncommon Anthony recordings made between 1949 and 1952. Anthony was able to keep his big band in operation until 1958, both by writing catchy tunes for popular consumption (his magnum opus in this genre was the theme to "Dragnet") and by tending a stable of sweet pop vocalists who appealed to the McCarthy Era's record buying public. Crooners and wallflowers heard on this collection include Dick Noel, Betty Holiday, Tommy Mercer, Pat Baldwin, Ronnie Deauville, Marcie Miller and the Anthony Choir. There is also a jolly group vocal by the band during "Old Oaken Bucket." The Ray Anthony Orchestra swings best on "Marshmellow World," "Now That I Need You," "Have You Heard," "Moonlight Saving Time" and "I Let a Song Go out of My Heart," one of two Duke Ellington compositions that Anthony wisely included in his repertoire. Note the inclusion of "Strange," a mind-altering exotic love song that was given its best vocal interpretation by Nat King Cole and would become a minor instrumental masterpiece when handled by young Eric Dolphy on the album Chico Hamilton LP With Strings Attached. ~ arwulf arwulf

Personnel: Ronnie Deauville, Dick Noel, Betty Holiday, Marcie Miller, Tommy Mercer (vocals).