Saxophonist and playboy bandleader Charlie Barnet led one of the most swinging of the big bands during the 1930s and ‘40s, always disliking the popular ‘sweet’ orchestral music of that era, and pioneering a hard swinging approach as he fully integrated himself into his bands as an instrumentalist. Acrobat has released several Charlie Barnet compilations and our latest continues with the next few years of his recording career. He recorded variously for the National, Aladdin and Capitol labels from 1946 through to 1950.
It comprises most of the titles recorded at the dozen or so sessions he recorded during these years, and which came out on singles. Like all musicians he could not record during 1948 because of the American Federation of Musicians’ recording ban. It features some noted musicians in his line-ups, including the likes of Shorty Rogers, Barney Kessel, Neal Hefti, Clark Terry, Doc Severinson, Maynard Ferguson and Manny Albam. It includes some new arrangements of material which he popularised in his earlier Bluebird recordings.
REVIEWS
“Acrobat had already covered the peak years of Barnet's popularity with two earlier collections on their fabulous imprint At The Lincoln (FABCD134) and The Charlie Barnet Collection 1935-1947 (FADCD2039) so this latest release follows on from the latter with recordings for the National, Aladdin and Capitol labels. Just to clear up the dates overlap, the earlier collection ended with live performances from 1947 rather than studio recordings and the only duplication is East Side West Side. These recordings have historically been somewhat neglected but Barnet was not one to stand still, and the use of a younger generation of arranger/composers like Manny Albam, Johnny Richards, Pete Rugolo and Paul Villepigue, as well as younger musicians like Doc Severinsen, Maynard Ferguson and Shorty Rogers are indications of a desire to innovate rather than recreate the hits of the past, even when revisiting earlier successes like Cherokee, Charleston Alley and Pompton Turnpike. I really enjoyed getting acquainted with this collection of somewhat neglected material. It's a very different Barnet to the old school big band of his heyday but well worth it. I have not mentioned the leader's own considerable contribution to these recordings. While not an outstanding soloist or with a particularly distinctive tone he was of course the glue that held it all together and as such a real bandleader, not just a figurehead. Full marks for an absorbing collection.” – Gerry Stonestreet (In Tune Issue 343)
“Acrobat Music continue in fine form by releasing the third in their series covering the music of the Charlie Barnet Orchestra. As we know the late 40s saw the gradual demise of the big bands popular in prior years and many leaders struggled to keep their bands together. The ascendancy of bebop and the constraints of an industry mired in recording bans and fatigue after many years of war didn't help. That is by the by now and with this 2CD set Acrobat have come up trumps with this set of 45 tracks. It is an enjoyable release with Acrobats usual 20 page booklet with copious information on personnel and recordings.” Clive Fleckner (Jazzviews September 2020)
This double CD, from the agile Acrobat, finds his band adapting to changing times… His work from this period is not easy to come by in the commercial market which makes this offering of interest to the collector, providing a chance to hear new arrangements of previously recorded material... these CDs offer a great opportunity to hear Barnet's post-war bands which feature excellent solo work across the ensemble and represent, arguably, some of his most distinctive work. - Andrew Liddle (Jazz Rag Issue 165)
This five-year snapshot of one of the great swing bands is an idel way to discover what Charlie Barnet was about. His bands always swung and their enjoyment was palpabe. Listening to this collection is a great way to appreciate what made Charlie tick. For Big Band Swing lovers, I thoroughly recommend. Barry Clare (Just Jazz Issue 271)
Acrobat has chronicled Charlie Barnet’s early career with Leapin’ At The Lincoln (Fabulous FABCD134) and The Charlie Barnet Collection 1935-47 (Fabulous FADC2039). This reissue takes us up to the post-war period which was the last hurrah for the big band era... These two CDs show the band’s evolution from a loosely swinging, almost Woody Herman style on Bunny, Atlantic Jump and Jubilee Jump to the distinctive late 40s bebop flavourings. - Gordon Jack (Jazz Journal January 2021)
| Disc 1 | ||
| Track | Title | Artist |
| 1 | The New Redskin Rhumba | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 2 | Cherokee | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 3 | Bunny | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 4 | Atlantic Jump [Atlantic Hop] | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 5 | Caravan | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 6 | At The Darktown Strutters Ball | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 7 | I Cover The Waterfront | Martha Raye with Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 8 | Sweet Lorraine | Martha Raye with Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 9 | Deep Purple | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 10 | Jubilee Jump | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 11 | Juice Head Blues | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 12 | Blue Lou | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 13 | East Side, West Side (Sidewalks Of New York) | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 14 | My Old Flame | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 15 | Moods | Charlie Barnet & His Band |
| 16 | Budandy | Charlie Barnet & His Band |
| 17 | Charleston Alley | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 18 | Pompton Turnpike | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 19 | Rockin' In Rhythm | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 20 | The Gal From Joe's | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 21 | Southern Fried | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 22 | Little John Ordinary | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 23 | Dirty Rotten Shame Blues | Charlie Barnet & His Cherokees |
| Disc 2 | ||
| Track | Title | Artist |
| 1 | Blue Moon | Charlie Barnet & His Cherokees |
| 2 | Eugipelliv | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 3 | Lonely Street | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 4 | Cu-Ba | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 5 | Easy Living | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 6 | Charlie's Other Aunt | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 7 | Overtime | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 8 | O'Henry | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 9 | Portrait Of Edward Kennedy Ellington Parts 1 & 2 | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 10 | Rhapsody In Blue | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 11 | Be-Bop Spoken Here | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 12 | Gloomy Sunday | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 13 | Over The Rainbow | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 14 | All The Things You Are | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 15 | Ill Wind | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 16 | Pan Americana | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 17 | Claude Reigns | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 18 | Really? | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 19 | Spain | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 20 | My Crime | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 21 | Theme For Cynthia | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |
| 22 | I'm A Dreamer, Aren't We All? | Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra |