Charlie Barnet - Skyliner

Well, as promised here's one of Charlie Barnet's most infamous albums from his orchestra's glory days.  If you ever buy or see a big band comp with Barnet included, the tune Skyliner is almost certainly going to be there.

If you Google "Charlie Barnet Skyliner", a prolific amount of albums will be displayed.  All you need to know is that this is the REAL deal, the original Skyliner on Decca.  His band arguably released their most popular sides with Bluebird during the late 30's and early 40's, but Skyliner was still one of the best.

As far as the playing goes, expect the usual quirky and fun style that you heard on the last post, Cherokee.  The soloing is sporadic but the ensemble work is tight.  Peanuts Holland really makes the session with an awesome rendition of Drop Me Off In Harlem.  I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure when this was released in 1944, the Foxtrot was the rage - and can be heard on Skyliner.  I hope some of you will take a chance on a great piece of jazz history, and one of the more interesting jazz figures from the big band era.  Barnet was well respected by Basie and Ellington, and as such remains in the annals of 40's jazz storytelling (mostly for the bands wild antics off stage).  It should also be noted that at the time of this recording, Barnet and other like minded leaders were moving away from "audience driven" jazz and into something more like what bop was to become.  At this point the arrangers were really key and Barnet knew it inviting some of the best to voice his orchestra.  Generally speaking, Barnet didn't care for being popular or mainstream - he just wanted to have fun playing the most contemporary jazz of the day.

I know that when you hear this music, it's hard to imagine that the players could have possibly been "cutting edge", or considered outsiders.  I think that overall, Barnet wisely towed the line between both sides of the coin.  The bottom line is, this fun, sophisticated music should never be forgotten!!

This was ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  The album is in excellent condition, an original US pressing!!  A real jewel in my collection, and in fabulous mono of course.   Get ready to have some fun... Enjoy!!!

DECCA DL8098
1944

The best I can find is a list of his band members for BOTH of his DECCA releases.  I can't nail down exactly who is on this album, but Peanuts Holland and Dodo Marmarosa are a definite.  Can anybody help??

Charlie Barnet (soprano, alto & tenor saxophones);

Peanuts Holland, Art Robey (vocals, trumpet); 

Frances Wayne, Kay Starr (vocals); 

George Bone, Conn Humphries, Murray Williams, Buddy DeFranco (alto saxophone); 

Kurt Bloom, James Lamare (tenor saxophone); 

Bob Dawes (baritone saxophone); 

Roy Eldridge, Art House, Irving Berger, Joe Ferrante, Chuck Zimmerman, Al Killian, Jimmy Pupa, Lyman Vunk, George Seaberg (trumpet); 

Lawrence Brown, Russ Brown, Kahn Keene, Wally Baron, Bill Robertson, Eddie Bert, Ed Fromm, Spud Murphy, Bob Swift (trombone); 

Dodo Marmarosa (piano); 

Tommy Moore, Barney Kessel (guitar); 

Jack Jarvis, Bob Elden, Irv Lang (bass); 

Cliff Leeman, Harold Hahn (drums)