The Big Bands

Rating:
Summary: The names, the faces, the places: they're all here!
Review: George Simon was an intimate part of the big band scene. He was there when it was born and he was there when it atrophied during Word War Two. He was an original member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra (he played drums) and one of the first writers for Metronome Magazine, the trade mag for the music industry in that time. I have a hardcover copy of the 9th printing. The original copyright is indicated as 1967. I also have an accompanying three record set that is unique in that it was a cooperative effort by three competing companies: RCA, Decca and Columbia. It's a shame that this isn't available too! Over 400 bands are mentioned, some extensively. It is full of first-hand accounts, anecdotes and many photos. I felt as if I was there! George Simon gave us a true window into this piece of music history. If I had an extra thumb, I would give it three thumbs up!

Rating:
Summary: It's a shame this one's out of print
Review: Simon's wonderful book on the Big Band Era succeeds on a number of levels. First, George T. manages to introduce you to virtually any big band leader that was anybody during the period spanning 1935 to 1946. Second, since the Big Band Era is long gone, it is important to understand this fantastic music in context. The best introduction to that context is this book. Third, as a personal friend to perhaps the greatest popular big band leader, Glenn Miller, Simon gives you some insights into this period which started an explosion in popular music. This is not a book for jazz apologists who rail at any commercial success by jazz musicians. It is also not the book for people that don't understand that Jazz was first and foremost a popular music at it's inception. Simon unapologetically conveys the story of the union of the Big Band, Jazz and Popular music. That union really only occurred for about 11 years. By the late 40's the Big Band as a mainstream popular music vehicle was passing out of focus and into history.

This book is a great introductory overview of the Big Band Era. People wanting to learn more are encouraged to read "The World of Swing" by Stanley Dance, "The Swing Era" by Gunther Schuller, "Big Band Jazz" by Albert McCarthy and "The Dance Band Era" by Albert McCarthy. Unfortunately all of these books except for one are now out of print, but well worth finding. Start with Simon if you really want to understand what the Big Bands meant to popular culture during the latter part of the Great Depression and World War Two. Plus, Simon is a highly skilled writer (a former magazine editor), so this is an easy read.

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive and enlightening view of this music
Review: This book occupied a prime spot on my fathers bookshelf while I was growing up. I frequently heard this music as a kid, and was intrigued by its swing and feel. I had the pleasure of befriending George Simon, and found him to be a first class gentleman. I visited him at his home, and we would discuss the music and his experiences. It gave me tremendous insight into the times, and was always interesting. George was about fifty yeasr older than I ( I have lost touch with him after his move to Florida) but due to his involvement with the Grammys he could go from Harry James to Bob Dylan to Jimi Hendrix with ease. An interesting and insightful book by someone who loved the music and all it stood for.

Rating:
Summary: Cool but too self-congratulatory
Review: This is, as they say, the definitive work on classic big band and swing music, full of profiles of bands and band leaders large and small, from the Artie Shaws and Glenn Millers to the Will Bradleys and Hal Kemps. The scope of the book is very well-rounded, including information on often-neglected "sweet" band musicians such as Isham Jones, along with pre-big band acts like Ted Lewis. The downside is that Simon -- a jazz music critic for "Metronome" magazine during the big band years -- wears his insider credentials on his sleeves, and is a bit of an insufferable name-dropper. Nonetheless, this is a great reference work, and a nice look back at the glory days of swing.