It was a unique time in Big Band history. The late 1940s saw the emerging vocalists, not the bands, receiving a bigger share of the spotlight, many of whom were veterans of the genre’s wartime hey-day. This huge collection gives this music (and its singers) the due it deserves.

CONDITION: Gently Used
CDs and jewel case are in very good shape
Listener’s Guide has been thumbed through, but is in good condition

In this massive 84-track, 4 CD set, Reader’s Digest gives you the best of big band’s final years dominating pop culture. Great band leaders and vocalists are here: Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Sammy Kaye, Guy Lombardo, Benny Goodman, Les Brown, Helen Forrest, June Christy, Skeets Herfurt, Jo Stafford, The Ames Brothers, and many more.

Songs include: I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover, Three Coins in the Fountain, Little Green Apples, Misty, Hello Dolly!, Red Roses for a Blue Lady, Harbor Lights, Alfie, The Lady from 29 Palms, and even Woody Woodpecker.

Remastered from original source recordings, the sound quality is impeccable given the age of the music.

Comes with a detailed 48-page listener’s guide with notes on each song and performer.

Here's your chance to discover the light and playful side of Big Band Music with this wonderful CD set. From Reader's Digest so you know it's good!

Big Band Memories 1945-1969
4 CDs – 84 tracks
Reader's Digest Music – 1991

CD #1

1-01 So Rare - Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
1-02 On a Slow Boat to China - Freddy Martin Glen Hughes, The Martin Men
1-03 The Hucklebuck - Tommy Dorsey, Vocals – Charlie Shavers
1-04 There Must Be a Way - Charlie Spivak, Vocals – Jimmy Saunders
1-05 Shoo Fly Pie & Apple Pan Dowdy - Stan Kenton & Orchestra, Vocals – June Christy
1-06 It Isn't Fair - Sammy Kaye & Orchestra, Vocals – Don Cornell
1-07 Hot Toddy - Ralph Flanagan and His Orchestra
1-08 You Came a Long Way from St. Louis – Ray McKinley & his Orchestra
1-09 Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You) Vaughn Monroe His Orchestra & The Moon Men
1-10 I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover – Russ Morgan & Orchestra, Vocals – The Ames Brothers
1-11 Tea for Two Cha Cha - Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
1-12 Night Train - Buddy Morrow And His Orchestra
1-13 Gotta Be This or That - Sammy Kaye & Orchestra, Vocals – Nancy Norman
1-14 The Lady from 29 Palms - Freddy Martin & Orchestra, Vocals – The Martin Men
1-15 Down by the Station - Tommy Dorsey, Vocals – Denny Dennis, Lucy Ann Polk, The Sentimentalists
1-16 How High the Moon - Stan Kenton & Orchestra, Vocals – June Christy
1-17 Cruising Down the River - Russ Morgan & Orchestra, Vocals – The Skylarks
1-18 Kokomo, Indiana – Vaughn Monroe & Orchestra, Vocals – The Moon Maids
1-19 Hong Kong Blues - Tommy Dorsey & Orchestra, Vocals – Skeets Herfurt
1-20 Civilization (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo) - Louis Prima & Orchestra, Vocals – Louis Prima

CD # 2

2-01 Sabre Dance Boogie Freddy Martin & Orchestra, Piano – Barclay Allen
2-02 Jealous Heart - Jan Garber & Orchestra, Vocals – Don Grabeau
2-03 I Wonder, I Wonder, I Wonder - Guy Lombardo & Royal Canadians, Vocals – Don Rodney
2-04 Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You) - Ralph Flanagan & Orchestra, Vocals – Harry Prime
2-05 Laura - Stan Kenton & Orchestra, Vocals – Stan Kenton Ensemble
2-06 Hoop-Dee-Doo – Russ Morgan & Orchestra, Vocals – Russ Morgan & The Morganaires
2-07 Bonaparte's Retreat - Gene Krupa & His Chicago Jazz, Vocals – Bobby Morgan & The Morganaires
2-08 Dragnet - Ray Anthony & His Orchestra
2-09 Roses - Sammy Kaye & Orchestra, Vocals – Three Kaydets
2-10 June Night - Jimmy Dorsey, His Orchestra & Chorus
2-11 Peter Gunn Theme - Ray Anthony & His Orchestra
2-12 All My Love – Guy Lombardo & Royal Canadians, Vocals – Billy Flanagan
2-13 Harbor Lights - Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians, Vocals – Kenny Gardner
2-14 Main Title from The Man with the Golden Arm - Billy May And His Orchestra
2-15 Caravan – Ralph Marterie And His Orchestra
2-16 Near You - Alvino Rey And His Orchestra, Vocals – Jimmy Joyce
2-17 You Belong to My Heart - Charlie Spivak & Orchestra, Vocals – Jimmy Saunders
2-18 Anniversary Song – Guy Lombardo & Royal Canadians, Vocals – Kenny Gardner
2-19 That's My Weakness Now - Russ Morgan And His Orchestra
2-20 That's My Desire – Sammy Kaye & Orchestra, Vocals – Don Cornell, The Kaydets
2-21 Thinking of You - Kay Kyser & Orchestra, Vocals – Harry Babbitt

CD #3

3-01 I Wish I Didn't Love You So – Vaughn Monroe & Orchestra, Vocals – The Moon Maids
3-02 Room Full of Roses – Sammy Kaye & Orchestra, Vocals – Don Cornell, Three Kaydets
3-03 The More I See You -Tex Beneke & Orchestra, Saxophone – Tex Beneke
3-04 People – Paul Weston & Orchestra, Vocals – Jo Stafford
3-05 Count Every Star - Ray Anthony & Orchestra, Vocals – Dick Noel
3-06 I Left My Heart in San Francisco - Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra
3-07 Baby, It's Cold Outside – Sammy Kaye & Orchestra, Vocals – Don Cornell, Laura Leslie
3-08 Little Green Apples - Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra
3-09 Misty - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
3-10 Gigi – Harry James & His Orchestra
3-11 For Once In My Life - Freddy Martin & His Orchestra
3-12 Walk Right In - Tex Beneke & His Orchestra
3-13 Windy - Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
3-14 I Want to Hold Your Hand - Les Brown & His Orchestra
3-15 Red Roses for a Blue Lady - Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra

3-16 A Lover's Concerto – Freddy Martin & His Orchestra
3-17 Those Were the Days – Shep Fields
3-18 Spinning Wheel – Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
3-19 A Taste of Honey - Duke Ellington &C His Orchestra

CD #4

4-01 Secret Love - Ray Anthony & His Orchestra Vocals – Tommy Mercer
4-02 Watch What Happens - Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
4-03 Strangers In The Night - Count Basie
4-04 The Aba Daba Honeymoon – Freddy Martin & His Orchestra, Vocals – The Merv Griffin Ensemble
4-05 The Third Man Theme - Alvino Rey & His Orchestra
4-06 Georgy Girl - Bob Crosby & The Bob Cats
4-07 Alfie - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
4-08 Call Me Irresponsible - Harry James & Orchestra, Vocals – Helen Forrest
4-09 The Windmills of Your Mind - Freddy Martin & His Orchestra
4-10 The Pink Panther Theme - Les Brown & His Band Of Renown
4-11 Three Coins in the Fountain - Harry James & His Orchestra
4-12 Hello, Dolly! - Guy Lombardo & Royal Canadians, Vocals – Kenny Gardner
4-13 I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face - Tex Beneke & Orchestra, Vocals – Ray Eberle
4-14 Baubles, Bangles and Beads - Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra
4-15 If Ever I Would Leave You - Harry James & Orchestra, Vocals – Gene Merlino
4-16 September Song – Stan Kenton & His Orchestra
4-17 Tonight – Tex Beneke & His Orchestra
4-18 The Stripper - Billy May & His Orchestra
4-19 The Bunny Hop - Ray Anthony & Orchestra – Marcie Miller, Tommy Mercer
4-20 Alley Cat - Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra
4-21 Woody Woodpecker – Kay Kyser & Orchestra, Vocals – Gloria Wood, Harry Babbitt
4-22 The Varsity Drag – Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
4-23 His Feet Too Big For De Bed – Stan Kenton, Vocals – June Christy
4-24 Powder Your Face with Sunshine (Smile! Smile! Smile!) – Sammy Kaye & Orchestra

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