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The most exceptional dance band album I've heard in a long time.I don't understand the apparent confusion.this is not bop, post bop, or neo-bop but it is one of the best recorded examples of what sometimes is called "touch" dancing. It must show that they still enjoy playing these wonderful standards.I was agreeably surprised at Ray Anthony's longevity.may he go on playing the trumpet as long as the late Doc Cheatham. It is some of the best available. I particuarly remember a double date one summer night at the Trocadero Ballroom which was an outdoor pavilion at Elitch Gardens in Denver. Many bands used to end with a medley, segueing from one melody to another, and might typically include "Goodnight Sweetheart", "I'll See You In My Dreams" and "Dream". My buddy and our dates danced to the music of Ralph Flanagan, another great band with the Glenn Miller sound. For me it brought back memories of being in the service in the mid '50's which was about the end of the big band era. To enjoy this music is NOT uncool.
For those who have never experienced dancing while holding an attractive woman with her head nestled between your shoulder and neck, the scent of her perfume and hair, and moving as one to music such as this.well, let's just say I'm glad I was born in time to have had that experience.I recognize a lot of musicians in this band as being very proficient jazz players among which are Rick Baptist, Frank Szabo, Wayne Bergeron, Alan Kaplan, Bill Tole, Alex Iles, Sal Lozano, Roger Neumann, Bob Efford Gregg Field and Chuck Berghofer. None of these guys has any problem getting a gig. These are pieces typically played late at night near the end of the set. Such was romance then.as were the memories it created.
To a more seasoned ear and a true fan of swing, this recording is smooth and beautiful. I was sad to see that reviewer Mr. Klavoski thought this recording was so terrible that he found it necessary to submit three poor reviews on the same day. I discovered Ray Anthony on digital radio and loved it, and this album is a great example of his expertise. Get it now.
I vividly remember my parents not only listening to this style of music, but also dancing to it. My motivation for writing this review came after reading the complaints about the arrangement's slow tempo. This is my first and probably last review. Their style of dancing was extremely relaxed, extremely intimate and extremely graceful. The tempo seems slow because that is generally how people preferred to dance back in the 1950s. These Ray Anthony recordings were developed in order to appeal to an audience that essentially no longer exists. If the tempo had been faster, they probably would have sat out the dance. This music brings back not only great memories of my parents, but also great memories of a perfect blend of reeds and brass, and great memories of a talented musician.
This cd is not good, it is slow and boring, and not fun swing like Brian Setzer or even Glenn Miller or Benny Goodman. This is boring swing, that does not give me good dream, but give me nightmare. Not for dancing at all, this is for people with no imagination.
Yawn, this will put you straight to sleep. boring.
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