Advantages: great big band music Disadvantages: none
...The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK was founded by Ray McVay in the 80's . This was done after talks with the Glenn Miller Estate, who had listened to many of Ray McVay's tracks.
Who is Ray McVay?
Ray McVay was born in the late 30's in Scotland. He became a professional musician at the tender age of 13 as a rocking sax player. In the 50's he became a music director for many big names such as Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Conway Twitty and Billy Fury.
As Rays name got bigger and better known in the music industry, and fronted his own show band known as the Ray McVay Orchestra. He started to play for the Mecca Organization playing around the country before headlining at Mecca's big venue, the Lyceum Ballroom in London's west end.. Ray McVay then became a household name in the UK when he was featured on the TV...
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...I would like to make some comments to Lucifer regarding his review that I read the other day (ref. Lucifer-sun-of-the-morning, 12 February 2006).
Lucifer,
With a name like ‘The Guitar Orchestra’, intelligence would tell anyone with an ounce of it that this is an album concentrating on the use of guitars, and with the exception of percussion, that is exactly what it achieves.
Nowhere do the credits say ‘Chris Baylis and the Guitar Orchestra’, nor is he calling himself an orchestra – the guitars are the orchestra (there’s a clue in the name if this is confusing). He merely plays the guitars that make up this orchestra. Furthermore, the album is dedicated to the memory of Leo Fender, NOT the Bamboo Man. If criticisms must be made, at least get the facts straight.
To say this is self-indulgent is correct – how else would a serious...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic
Advantages: Fantastic range of great tunes and songs Disadvantages: None
...My late Father would have approved of this CD. For this, he would have said, was real Jazz. "Not like this modern rubbish!"
My father's idea of real Jazz was music by the greats of the 1920 and 1930s. Jack Teagarden, for example. Mezz Mezzrow, was another of his heroes. And perhaps some of the early Louis Armstrong.
Well, two out of three ain't bad. There's no Mezz Mezzrow on this CD, but there is plenty of Jack Teagarden and some early Louis Armstrong, too. There's also Lester Young and ArtieShaw, too.
I have to agree with my dad. This rocks. Well, perhaps not rocks, but I think you know what I mean!
Jack Teagarden's jazz is the ultimate in smoooooth jazz. Until he really wanted to become lively, then it was as if you were listening to an entirely different orchestra. The first two Jack Teagarden and hisOrchestra tracks...
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helpful 21.11.2005
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