This is the best single-CD compilation of
Bunny Berigan recordings issued to date. Although all of the trumpeter's big-band sides for Bluebird have come out on three double LPs, this set gives more general collectors a better overview of his talents. One of the top trumpeters active during the 1935-1939 period (only
Louis Armstrong and the up-and-coming
Roy Eldridge were on his level),
Berigan was largely responsible for the success of important hit records for
Benny Goodman ("King Porter Stomp" and "Sometimes I'm Happy") and
Tommy Dorsey ("Marie" and "Song of India"), in addition to having a best-seller of his own ("I Can't Get Started"). Unfortunately,
Berigan's alcoholism eventually did him in, but this CD has all of the hits, plus appearances with
Gene Gifford's Orchestra (a majestic solo on "Nothin' but the Blues"),
Frankie Trumbauer, jamming with
Fats Waller, and with
the Metronome All-Stars, plus more titles as a leader, with
BG, and with
Dorsey (including a radio broadcast version of "I've Found a New Baby" from 1940). This is a well-conceived reissue of important and often exciting swing by one of the greats. ~ Scott Yanow