Artie Shaw - The Essential (2005)

The Essential Artie Shaw collects 38 tracks recorded between 1938 and 1953 for Bluebird. The compilation does an admiral job of showcasing Shaw's skills as bandleader, composer, showman, and musician. The focus of the disc is mainly instrumentals, both in small-group and orchestral settings, with a few tracks spotlighting the vocals of Helen Forrest, Hot Lips Page, Tony Pastor, and Billie Holiday. Along with the abundance of swing standards from the era like "Nightmare," "Frenesi," and "Begin the Beguine," the combination of big band and strings allows for colorful and intricate arrangements on "April in Paris," "Any Old Time," "All the Things You Are," and the Shaw-penned "Concerto for Clarinet (Pts. 1-2)," finding the unique composer on par with Stan Kenton. Collectors should take note of the previously unissued 1936 take of "Streamline."

Tracklist:

CD 1

01. Begin The Beguine (3:17)
02. Special Delivery Stomp (2:44)
03. Non Stop Flight (2:49)
04. Deep Purple (3:14)
05. Oh! Lady Be Good (3:10)
06. Scuttlebutt (3:12)
07. Shoot The Likker To Me, John Boy (2:51)
08. St. James Infirmary Blues (Parts I & II) (6:23)
09. Georgia On My Mind (2:49)
10. April In Paris (3:26)
11. Any Old Time (3:13)
12. All The Things You Are (3:14)
13. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (3:15)
14. Back Bay Shuffle (3:17)
15. (When Your Heart's On Fire) Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (3:17)
16. Tabu (3:11)
17. Blues In The Night (3:16)
18. Concerto For Clarinet (Parts I & II) (9:22)

CD 2

01. Frenesi (3:05)
02. Summit Ridge Drive (3:22)
03. Take Your Shoes Off, Baby (3:28)
04. It Had To Be You (2:31)
05. Don't Take Your Love From Me (3:08)
06. Indian Love Call (3:12)
07. Dancing In The Dark (3:04)
08. Deep In A Dream (3:18)
09. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me (3:10)
10. Star Dust (3:33)
11. A Room With A View (3:31)
12. Temptation (3:03)
13. Streamline (2:32)
14. Traffic Jam (2:16)
15. What Is This Thing Called Love? (3:16)
16. Yesterdays (3:20)
17. You're A Lucky Guy (2:40)
18. Alone Together (3:26)
19. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) (3:14)
20. Nightmare (2:50)