Missing Chapters, Vol. 8: Get Happy

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); 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); Jack Ferrier, Vince Carbone (reeds, tenor saxophone); Mannie Thaler (reeds); Robert Nicholls, Whitey Thomas, Jack Steele, Zeke Zarchy, Bernie Privin (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 (11/25/1944-04/09/1945); Olympia Theatre, Paris, France (11/25/1944-04/09/1945).
Unknown Contributor Role: John Sanderson.
Arrangers: Ralph Wilkinson; Jerry Gray; James Jackson; Norman Leyden.
The bulk of this CD, the eighth set from the British Avid label to document formerly unreleased broadcasts and recordings from the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band, mostly concentrates on the broadcasts of April 5 and 9, 1945, four months after Miller's disappearance over the English Channel. The April 5 performance includes Ray McKinley singing a good-natured "Whatcha Know Joe" and some hot playing by clarinetist Peanuts Hucko and pianist Mel Powell with a trio on "Plain and Fancy Blues." The performance of four days later is quite strong, with an enjoyable "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue" medley and Powell stretching out on his "No Compris." Wrapping up the CD are three string pieces from November 25, 1944, that are soothing and melodic. All of the Avid Glenn Miller sets are rewarding. ~ Scott Yanow