Moonlight Serenade

For fans waxing nostalgic over the big-band sound of Glenn Miller, here's your oyster. From the famed trombonist/bandleader, here are 75 selections over three CDs, and this is easily as "essential" a collection of his music as you might find. The tunes are also lovingly remastered to the digital format, which makes them listenable beyond the old vinyl formats you may have them on already. All of the hits are pretty much here, including "Moonlight Serenade," "Pennsylvania 6-5000," "Frenesi," "In the Mood," "Little Brown Jug," "Tuxedo Junction," and "American Patrol," along with a ton of standards, vocals from the Modernaires and Ray Eberle, some obscurities, and a full CD of Miller leading the Army Air Forces Training Command Band, featuring Johnny Desmond. It's about as comprehensive a set as you can find short of a complete box set of his entire output plus outtakes. The only better purchase might be a single CD of just the hits but, if so inclined, you should splurge and spend the bucks to get this slice of Americana. ~ Michael G. Nastos