After a brief burst of commercial success when they launched their career separate from Glenn Miller, the Modernaires with Paula Kelly began to struggle in the one-year period covered by this second volume of Collectables' four-disc collection of their complete Columbia Records recordings. Popular music taste was changing quickly, along with everything else in the immediate post-World War II era in America, and the style represented by the Modernaires, that lighthearted, swinging approach, may have begun to sound dated. Or ...
Read More
After a brief burst of commercial success when they launched their career separate from Glenn Miller, the Modernaires with Paula Kelly began to struggle in the one-year period covered by this second volume of Collectables' four-disc collection of their complete Columbia Records recordings. Popular music taste was changing quickly, along with everything else in the immediate post-World War II era in America, and the style represented by the Modernaires, that lighthearted, swinging approach, may have begun to sound dated. Or maybe the group wasn't getting the right material to record. There are precious few memorable tunes here, beyond the standards "Pennies From Heaven" (a 1936 copyright) and "Margie" (which dates to 1920). The group covered "Hoodle Addle" by Ray McKinley, who had been in Miller's band with them, but they couldn't match his Top 20 version, and they accompanied Dinah Shore on "The Stanley Steamer," which competed unsuccessfully with Jo Stafford's Top 20 version. Their best chance for a hit in this period may have been "The Whistler," actually co-written by group leader Hal Dickinson, but somehow Sam Donohue got there first and reached the Top Ten. (The compilation includes Dickinson's previously unreleased solo versions of "The Whistler" and its B-side, "The Jingle Bell Polka.") The best example of their talent for novelty was "I Can't Get Offa My Horse," written by comedian Morey Amsterdam, which allowed them to indulge their fondness for parodies of other artists. There are many worthy performances here, but no hits, making this a volume of the complete Modernaires mainly for completists. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
