Big bands were on their way out by the late '40s, which left bandleaders and musicians who had played swing in a quandary: embrace bebop or become a nostalgia act. Certain wise musicians like Gene Krupa and Harry James, however, found a middle course by modernizing swing with new arrangements and selling it to ballroom dancers. The Complete Capitol Recordings of Gene Krupa and Harry James collects a multitude of splendid performances from both players as they transitioned from one era to the next. The four Krupa discs were recorded in 1946-1947 during the drummer/leader's successful comeback following a drug conviction. His band averaged around 17 pieces during these sessions, and occasionally featured vocalists Caroline Grey and Buddy Stewart. The band covers everything from bouncy straight-ahead swing like "Indiana" to tender ballads like "How Deep Is the Ocean." Of special interest are a number of stripped-down tracks, including "Body and Soul" and "Limehouse Blues," that feature Krupa, saxophonist Charlie Ventura, and pianist Teddy Napoleon. The three James discs were recorded between 1955 and 1958 and find the semi-reclusive trumpeter returning to the limelight. Married to Betty Grable and living in California, he had been perfectly content to perform locally. In the mid-'50s, however, his contract with Columbia ran out, giving him a chance to make another start. The first dozen cuts feature a large band with strings, providing James' horn with a plush background to play against. Guest vocalists Helen Forrest and Bob Marlo also help out here, offering fine renditions of "I've Heard That Song Before" and "My Silent Love." James's favorite drummer, Buddy Rich, also makes several appearances. Overall, The Complete Capitol Recordings of Gene Krupa and Harry James is an excellent collection that will please fans of both players and that will be a special joy to anyone who appreciates good swing.
Disc 1 - Gene Krupa
01 Indiana
02 My Old Flame
03 Wings On My Shoes
04 Up And Atom
05 Boogie Blues
06 Hop, Skip And Jump
07 Out Of Nowhere
08 Star Burst (Opening Theme)
09 Star Burst (Closing Theme)
10 Star Burst Theme Bridge 1
11 Star Burst (Theme Bridge 2)
12 Body And Soul
13 Limehouse Blues
14 Stompin' At The Savoy
15 These Foolish Things
16 Calling Dr. Gillespie
17 Begin The Beguine
18 They Didn't Believe Me
19 What's This
20 My Ideal
21 Hodge Podge
Disc 2 - Gene Krupa
01 I'll Never Be The Same
02 Tea For Two
03 Bolero At The Savoy
04 Lover
05 I Hear You Screaming
06 The Man I Love
07 Star Dust
08 10 Ritchie Drive
09 How High The Moon
10 Dark Eyes
11 Some Day Soon
12 And Then I Looked At You
13 King Porter Stomp
14 Blue Lou
15 Summertime
16 How Deep Is The Ocean
17 Up Stepped The Moon
18 Love's In My Heart
19 Leave Us Leap
Disc 3 - Gene Krupa
01 Yesterdays
02 Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
03 Prisoner Of Love
04 U.S.O.
05 John's Other Wife
06 Ain't Nowhere
07 Otto, Make The Riff Staccato
08 Sweet Lorraine
09 Wire Brush Stomp
10 Old Folks At Home
11 You Go To My Head
12 Bird House
13 Lyonaise Potatoes And Some Pork Chops
14 Bugle Call Rag
15 In The Moon Mist
16 Where Or When
17 It's Up To You
18 What Is This Thing Called Love
19 Idaho
Disc 4 - Gene Krupa
01 Ole Devil Moon
02 It Might Have Been A Different Story
03 You Be You
04 All By Myself
05 Dreams Are A Dime A Dozen
06 It's A Good Day
07 Yes, Yes Honey
08 Same Old Blues
09 By The River Ste. Marie
10 Margie
11 Night And Day
12 He's Funny That Way
13 Dear Old Southland
14 Duke Ellington Medley (Mood Indigo, Prelude To A Kiss, Solitude, In A Sentimental Mood, Sophisticated Lady)
Disc 5 - Harry James
01 Cherry
02 Jalousie
03 Sleepy Lagoon
04 You Made Me Love You
05 Trumpet Blues
06 I've Heard That Song Before
07 I'm Beginning To See The Light
08 It's Been A Long Long Time
09 I Cried For You
10 My Silent Love
11 Velvet Moon
12 James Session
13 Music Makers
14 Ciribiribin (Pt. 1 & 2, Medley)
15 Two O'Clock Jump
16 The Mole
17 Keblah
18 Carnival
19 Autumn Serenade
20 Street Scene
21 April In Paris
22 Walkin' Home
23 Beguine
Disc 6 - Harry James
01 Ram's Horn
02 Smogbound
03 September Song
04 Blue Again
05 Melancholy Rhapsody
06 These Foolish Things
07 Somebody Loves Me
08 Sleepy Time Gal
09 In A Sentimental Mood
10 Don'cha Go Away Mad
11 Crazy Rhythm
12 Strictly Instrumental
13 Blues On A Count
14 Countin'
15 What Am I Here For
16 Kinda Like The Blues
17 Cotton Pickin'
18 Blues For Harry's Sake
19 Blues For Lovers Only
20 Bee Gee
21 Barn 12
22 Ring For Porter
Disc 7 - Harry James
01 Andrea
02 Vuelva
03 Just Lucky
04 Fair And Warmer
05 Bangtail
06 Here's One
07 One On The House
08 J. Walkin'
09 Warm Blue Stream
10 Walkin' On Air
11 Bells
12 Blues For Sale
13 Just For Fun
14 Willow Weep For Me
15 Moten Swing
16 Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
17 You're My Thrill
18 I Want A Little Girl
19 The New Two O'Clock Jump
