The Voice Of The Big Bands [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED]

I may be old, but I'm not so old that I like this by reflex or by nostalgia. There were many years during which my go-to music was jazz, but that jazz was John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, and Ornette Coleman. Some of my friends have continued listening to jazz, but they like that more challenging stuff less and less. They've tried to persuade me that Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman are the real thing, but I don't believe it, not even after hearing this fabulous record, with Helen Forrest fronting for those two, and for Harry James. But this woman has wonderful interpretive gifts, and you should buy this album to experience them. It certainly doesn't hurt that she receives A-grade big band support, but it's Helen Forrest who carries the show. Is this "white jazz"? If that means anything, then yes. It is, in a word, mid-century pop music. Actually, Helen Forrest and Benny Goodman were Jewish--don't know about Artie Shaw and Harry James. So then maybe it's Jewish Jazz! One of the wonders of our amazing blender culture is that our pop music comes from a mix of so many cultural influences. Tin Pan Alley wasn't 100% Jewish songwriters composing on a blues base, but pretty close (not Johnny Mercer, not Cole Porter). What is rock 'n' roll? Well, it isn't blues--not entirely. It's a blend of blues and English and Scottish folk song, the so-called Child Ballads. Our modern pop music is all these things. How peculiar to hear it as such. Katy Perry really is the blues, plus "minor-key Yiddish song," plus the ballads of England. Or am I just nuts? In any event, all theory aside, this is a first-rate recording, very close to being "the one big-band album to have if you're having only one." I think you'll come back to it again and again. The sound is surprisingly fine. Helen Forrest can sing, as in "she has the sound of greatness in her voice."

Helen Forrest... WOW what a voice and what a lady. Nobody in today's music world can come close to her. I am somewhat new to the Big Band music, and wanted some of the famous singers to add to my collection. I'm not disappointed.

Others here had said that the collaborations with Artie Shaw are the best. Well, I agree that the collaborations with Artie Shaw are very fine. The song "Comes Love" has been favorite of mine since I first heard the song years ago. For me, it is witty, catchy, refined and true. Falling in love is risky business, very hard to know that one is doing it wisely. That is the message of the song, and as I say, the lyrics and the composition are grand. The Artie Shaw clarinet sound is off-the-charts wonderful. What a gifted individual he was. Helen Forrest's voice is lovely on this song and throughout. The duets with Dick Haymes, including "It Had to Be You" are individually worth the price of admission. "I Had the Craziest Dream" is a beautiful song too, and it was one of Helen's trademark songs. Very special, but the entire disc is a joy. I was not around in the 1940's, but I am glad that I was introduced to music of that decade by members of the preceding generation. Those who have suggested that the sound quality of this disc is imperfect must possess more finely developed talents for judging sound than I possess. The disc is a joy.

That was the question I asked when I first heard "I don't want to walk without you." Helen Forrest was among the best in a tough and highly competitive field of the so called "girl" singers in the 30's and 40's. Yet, it is an era in popular music that has largely passed from the scene. I suppose most people, if they have heard her sing at all, heard Helen Forrest sing "I've heard that song before" which was used to kick off the Woody Allen movie, Radio Days.What I like about Helen Forrest is how well she evokes the feelings in the songs she sings. She does it in romantic songs like the one above, but also in tough, cynical songs like "Comes Love." There are many ways this song could have been sung, but she finds the right voice of the wise, experienced woman. I've heard others sing it, but Helen Forrest owns that song.These are very fine transfers. Most of these tracks are very clean and have remarkable fidelity for what were originally 78 Records.

The singers of the big band era remain the most versatile in music. With the right arrangements, it is always pleasurable listening. This recording is simply grand. I shall search for more song stylings by this very talented vocalist of the ageless tunes of the past.

This particular collection represents a sampler of Helen Forrest vocals with some of the best of the Big Bands. My favorite piece is "MoonRay" recorded with Artie Shaw and his Orchestra. The recordings are all clean and clear - not always the case with music from the 40s. Anyone who wants to hear what Big Bands sounded like should definitely get this CD.

...i used to ask when listening to some of my big band collections. when i discovered it was helen forrest i had to hear more! i probably have nearly every helen forrest work available via digital media and am always looking for more! any helen forrest song is a good song! try it - you'll like it!

Swift delivery. Great product.