Bunny Berigan & His Orchestra

On Your Toes
1996 Drive Entertainment, Inc.
SQ Issue:  Spring 2003, Volume 13, Issue 3

The Band:
Trumpets:  Bunny Berigan, Harry Greenwald, Harry Brown, Steve Lipkins, Irving Goodman.  Trombones:  Jack Lacey, Red Jessup, Ray Conniff, Nat Lobousky.  Saxophones:  Babe Russin, Paul Ricci, Don “Slats” Long, Mike Doty, Georgie Auld, Clyde Rounds.  Clarinets:  Paul Ricci, Don “Slats” Long, Joe Dixon.  Piano:  Joe Bushkin.   Bass:  Mort Stuhlmaker, Hank Wayland.  Guitar:  Dick Wharton.   Drums:  Stan King, Johnny Blowers.  Leader:  Fred Rich.

“Bunny Berigan was one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time, a sometimes reckless virtuoso who not only could hit high notes with confidence, but had a beautiful tone while playing in his extreme low register.  During his prime years (1935-39), Berigan’s only real competitors among trumpeters were the immortal Louis Armstrong and the up-and-coming Roy Eldridge.” – Liner Notes

This CD is a digitally remastered CD that was originally recorded on July 20, 1936; June 27 and August 8, 1938 at the height of Berigan’s success.

It has lots of fantastic trumpet solos, naturally.  It also has lots of swingin’ energy throughout.  Drive Entertainment did a good job “cleaning” it up and making it listenable.  You won’t find a lot of pops and hissing nor does it seem overly “muddy.”

I think this CD is loaded with great swing tunes that you’ve never heard of but that you may not find you like dancing to them.  The highlights are Sunday and Sing You Sinners.  The first one is 189 beats per minute (bpm) and the latter is 203 bpm.   There are a couple of tunes that are danceable like On Your Toes and I’ll Always be in Love with You.

However, a think that you would be disappointed as a swing dancer with this particular selection.  Jazz enthusiasts who go beyond the dance will most likely find this a better buy than your average Joe.   I would say strictly from a dance standpoint, skip this one until you’ve got a good dance library, then get it to appreciate the great trumpet work of Berigan.

Bottom Line:  To buy or not to buy….. NO!  Here’s how: