The Essential Artie Shaw
collects 38 tracks recorded between 1938 and 1953 for
Bluebird
. The compilation does an admiral job of showcasing
Shaw
's skills as bandleader, composer, showman, and musician. The focus of the disc is mainly instrumentals, both in small-group and
orchestral
settings, with a few tracks spotlighting the vocals of
Helen Forrest
,
Hot Lips Page
Tony Pastor
, and
Billie Holiday
. Along with the abundance of
swing
standards
from the era like
"Nightmare,"
"Frenesi,"
and
"Begin the Beguine,"
the combination of
big band
and strings allows for colorful and intricate arrangements on
"April in Paris,"
"Any Old Time,"
"All the Things You Are,"
and the
-penned
"Concerto for Clarinet (Pts. 1-2),"
finding the unique composer on par with
Stan Kenton
. Collectors should take note of the previously unissued 1936 take of
"Streamline."
~ Al Campbell