The Original Glenn Miller & His Orchestra – The Glenn Miller Story

The Original Glenn Miller & His Orchestra – The Glenn Miller Story

The Glenn Miller Story is a 20-track collection of original recordings by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, bringing together many of the defining performances from the golden age of American big-band swing. Rather than being a soundtrack to the 1954 biographical film of the same name, this compilation focuses on the recordings that established Miller as one of the most recognisable bandleaders of the swing era.

The collection opens with two of Miller's most enduring signatures, “In The Mood” and “Moonlight Serenade,” before moving through a remarkable sequence of swing-era standards including “American Patrol,” “St. Louis Blues March,” “Juke Box Saturday Night,” “Perfidia” and “Tuxedo Junction.” These performances demonstrate the distinctive Miller sound: tightly arranged brass and reeds, precise ensemble playing and the unmistakable clarinet-led melody line that became his musical trademark.

The majority of the repertoire dates from the orchestra's hugely successful 1939–1943 period, when Glenn Miller became one of America's leading bandleaders. Among the best-known recordings here are “Stardust,” “Pennsylvania Six-Five Thousand,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “A String Of Pearls,” “Little Brown Jug” and “I've Got A Girl In Kalamazoo.” Several of these were major American hits; “Chattanooga Choo Choo” reached No. 1 and became one of Miller's signature recordings, while “I Dreamt I Dwelt In Harlem” was recorded in 1943.

The collection also captures the close relationship between Miller's orchestra and the vocal groups and singers who helped define its sound. “Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me),” “Serenade In Blue” and “I've Got A Girl In Kalamazoo” combine Miller's immaculate instrumental arrangements with the vocal harmonies that were an important part of his commercial appeal. The set then closes with “Sunrise Serenade,” “Flying Home,” “Here We Go Again” and the atmospheric “I Dreamt I Dwelt In Harlem.”

For collectors and listeners interested in Glenn Miller, big-band jazz, swing and the music of the 1930s and 1940s, this is an accessible collection of some of the orchestra's best-known original performances. From the driving swing of “In The Mood” and “American Patrol” to the romantic elegance of “Moonlight Serenade” and “Stardust,” it captures the polished, highly influential sound that made Glenn Miller one of the defining names of the swing era.

Tracklist

1. In The Mood – 3:32
2. Moonlight Serenade – 3:23
3. American Patrol – 3:17
4. St. Louis Blues March – 3:34
5. Juke Box Saturday Night – 3:03
6. Perfidia – 3:20
7. Tuxedo Junction – 3:25
8. Stardust – 3:23
9. Everybody Loves My Baby – 2:47
10. Pennsylvania Six Five Thousand – 3:13
11. Chattanooga Choo Choo – 7:49
12. A String Of Pearls – 3:12
13. Little Brown Jug – 2:51
14. I've Got A Girl In Kalamazoo – 3:13
15. Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me) – 3:11
16. Serenade In Blue – 3:25
17. Sunrise Serenade – 3:24
18. Flying Home – 3:11
19. Here We Go Again – 3:34
20. I Dreamt I Dwelt In Harlem – 4:49