Missing Chapters, Vol. 7: S'Wonderful

Personnel: Steve Steck (vocals, trumpet); Ray McKinley (vocals, drums); Gene Steck, Murray Kane, James Allison, Johnny Desmond, Artie Malvin, Crew Chiefs (vocals); Freddy Guera, Hank Freeman (alto, reeds, alto saxophone); Carmen Mastren (guitar); Nathan Kaproff, George Ockner, Dave Dennis, Richard Motylinski, Earl Cornwell, Phil Marino, CPL. Gene Bergen, David Sackson, Al Milton, Fred Ostrovsky, Ernest Kardos, Joseph Kowalewski, Carl Swanson, Harry Katzman (violin); Dave Schwartz, Emanuel Wishnow, CPL. Henry Brynan, CPL. Morris Bialkin, Stanley Harris, Bob Ripley (viola); Peanuts Hucko (clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Jack Ferrier, Vince Carbone (reeds, tenor saxophone); Mannie Thaler (reeds, baritone saxophone); Whitey Thomas, Jack Steele, Zeke Zarchy, Bernie Privin, Bobby Nichols (trumpet); Addison Collins (French horn); Nat Peck, Larry Hall , Johnny Halliburton, Jimmy Priddy (trombone); Jack Russin, Mel Powell (piano); Frank Ippolito (drums).
Audio Remasterer: Dave Bennett .
Liner Note Author: Malcolm Laycock.
Recording information: Co-Partner's Hall, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England (11/12/1943-04/05/1945); New York, NY (11/12/1943-04/05/1945); Olympia Theatre, Paris, France (11/12/1943-04/05/1945).
Introduction by: Glenn Miller.
Unknown Contributor Role: John Sanderson.
Arrangers: Ralph Wilkinson; Jerry Gray; James Jackson; Norman Leyden.
This English import features the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band and Ray McKinley's Swing Shift from four different performances. The large orchestra is heard while still in the United States on November 12, 1943, performing several numbers such as "In the Mood" and "Holiday for Strings." Drummer McKinley leads a small group on August 12, 1944, highlighted by a Mel Powell piano feature on "Wigan Pier Wiggle" and a heated "Everybody Loves My Baby." The Glenn Miller orchestra is heard 12 days later on one of its well-conceived "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue" medleys. This CD concludes with eight full-length numbers by the orchestra on April 5, 1945, when McKinley was the leader, including vocals by Johnny Desmond. Clarinetist Peanuts Hucko is featured with a trio on "S'Wonderful" and on the full-band swinger "9:20 Special." All of the Avid Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band releases are well-recorded, previously unreleased, and easily recommended. ~ Scott Yanow