Begin The Beguine

by Artie Shaw

Product Description:

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).

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

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.