Back in the Big Band era, orchestras were defined as being either “Sweet” (think Glenn Miller) or “Hot” (as in Benny Goodman). Bandleader, composer, arranger, clarinetist, trumpet and trombone player Larry Clinton had an immensely popular band that leaned toward sweet but also impressively swung during the key big band years. This two disc, 48 song collection puts together his string of big hits and some impressive charts, with a band that included big names like Artie Bernstein/b, and Charlie Spivak/tp and featured the girl next door vocals of Bea Wain, who gave Helen Ward, Helen Forrest and Martha Tilton a run for their money.
The band itself has a nice friendly groove as on the hip “The Big Dipper” with drummer Chauncey Morehouse doing his best Gene Krupa impersonation on “Abba Dabba”. With Wain, the team lilts through “True Confession” and has a blast on the fun “I Double Dare You” and the upbeat “Cry Baby Cry.” Wain is alluring with the rich reeds on “I Married an Angel” and the velvety “Deep Purple and agonizing on”You Go To My Head” while gloriously impressionistic during “My Reverie”. She’s joined by the vocal team on the cutesy “On A Slow Boat To China” and “The Dickey Bird Song” and teams up with the jivey Butch Stone during “Rockin’ Chair”. Stibee is hep to the jive on an assertive “Let Me Off Uptown” , while guest Peggy Mann hits hard on a 1940 “Because of You”. If you like Timmy Dorsey, look out for this set, it’s a joy!