Artie Shaw And His Orchestra – The Swinging 30's

Artie Shaw And His Orchestra – The Swinging 30's

The Swinging 30's brings together 16 classic recordings from one of the defining figures of the Swing Era. Artie Shaw was one of the great clarinettists and bandleaders of the late 1930s, and this collection captures his orchestra at the height of its early Swing-period sound, combining polished arrangements, sophisticated ensemble playing and Shaw's distinctive clarinet with a repertoire of popular standards and original jazz numbers.

The programme opens with a run of beautifully arranged standards including “All Alone”, “Night And Day”, “I Surrender Dear”, “Blue Skies”, “Someday Sweetheart” and “Sweet Adeline”. These recordings demonstrate the balance that became central to Shaw's approach: the elegance and precision of a dance orchestra combined with a stronger jazz sensibility and room for individual instrumental character. Shaw's official catalogue includes all of these recordings alongside many other staples of his Swing-era repertoire.

The second half moves further into Shaw's jazzier material. “Fee Fi Fo Fum” and “The Chant” lead into the two-part “The Blues March”, followed by “Nightmare”, “Free Wheeling”, “I'm Yours”, “Just You, Just Me”, “Free For All” and the appropriately titled “Non-Stop Flight”. A number of these tracks belong specifically to Shaw's 1937 period with his New Music, including “Fee Fi Fo Fum”, “The Chant”, “The Blues March”, “Nightmare”, “Free Wheeling”, “I'm Yours”, “Just You, Just Me”, “Free For All” and “Non-Stop Flight”.

This was a particularly important period for Shaw. His orchestra was helping push big-band music beyond straightforward dance-band entertainment, incorporating tighter jazz arrangements, rhythmic invention and a more prominent role for instrumental soloists. “Nightmare”, one of his best-known pieces, became closely associated with Shaw's clarinet sound, while the energetic “Non-Stop Flight” showcases the precision and momentum of his ensemble.

For collectors of Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and the Swing Era, The Swinging 30's offers an appealing snapshot of American big-band jazz in the years immediately before the genre reached its wartime peak. The combination of familiar standards and Shaw originals makes it equally suited to listeners exploring classic Swing and collectors interested in the development of pre-war big-band jazz.

Side A

1. All Alone — 2:30
2. Night And Day — 2:52
3. I Surrender Dear — 2:46
4. Blue Skies — 2:18
5. Someday Sweetheart — 2:58
6. Sweet Adeline — 2:47
7. Fee Fi Fo Fum — 2:45
8. The Chant — 2:54

Side B

1. The Blues March Part I — 2:50
2. The Blues March Part II — 2:53
3. Nightmare — 2:27
4. Free Wheeling — 2:56
5. I'm Yours — 2:59
6. Just You, Just Me — 3:15
7. Free For All — 3:10
8. Non-Stop Flight — 2:38