I personally think that the Artie Shaw collection "Begin the Beguine" (available on the RCA Bluebird label) is a bit stronger than this one, with a focus on more of his hits from the 1938-39 band -- as an album, it swings much harder -- but the variety here is greater, and the sound quality somewhat better. Since the two CDs share only five tracks in common, I advise buying both. They're both inexpensive, so it's a good deal.

Here's what you'll find on this CD, broken down by the different bands:

The 1938-39 Orchestra: "Any Old Time" (vocal by Billie Holliday, her only recording with the band), "Rosalie" (vocal by Tony Pastor), "Deep Purple" (vocal by Helen Forrest), "Everything Is Jumpin'" (live), "My Blue Heaven" (live), "Begin the Beguine," "Nightmare" (Shaw's opening theme), "Diga Doo" (live)

The 1940-42 Orchestra: "Star Dust," "Chantez-Les Bas," "Two in One Blues," "Nocturne," "Concerto for Clarinet (Parts 1&2)," "I Cover the Waterfront," "To a Broadway Rose."

The 1944-45 Orchestra: "Summertime," "`S Wonderful," "The Maid with the Flaccid Air"

The 1938-39 tracks are the strongest, with "Begin the Beguine" still a towering classic of smooth, beautiful swing. The three live tracks are fabulous and show the band getting loose and extreemly jazzy in front of a crowd of crazed dancers. It's also wonderful to hear the band's two primary vocalists, Tony Pastor (also a sax player) and Helen Forrest, sing two of the band's signature numbers.

Of the other numbers, "Summertime" is a real stunner. Taken from the Gershwin opera "Porgy and Bess," it has an incredible Shaw solo and a heavy, soulful power. The lengthy "Concerto for Clarinet" may have a dull title, but it's a fast jumpin' number with awesome solos. The same goes for "Two in One Blues." Another classic solo on clarinet from Artie Shaw appears on "Star Dust," a song he recorded often.