There's a new six CD set from Request Records called Live Jazz from Club 15. These recordings are from the collection of KLUC's Mike Gold, who broadcasted live from assorted Vegas venues in the 1950's and 1960's. The recordings were locked away until 2004 when Mike's grandchildren decided to check the quality of the old tapes. In a studio on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota, they were played and digitally recorded at the same time because it wasn't known if they could survive more than one playing. Dramatically and fortunately ... they did ... and here they are. These are great pieces of big band history.

One CD features The Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Buddy DeFranco at The Tropicana in 1966. Surprisingly at this time, Bobby Rydell was drafted as the lead singer for the Miller Orchestra. Perhaps they reasoned the disposed 50's teen idol would be a terrific draw, so the band could capture a new audience. Actually, Rydell sounds a lot like Sammy Davis in the way he phrased things (Bobby actually uses the word "groovy" during a break in the music) ... Conversely, The Guy Lombardo Orchestra in their broadcast, also from 1966, is content to perform nostalgic numbers that would have been considered antique, even by the standards of the time. Guy never strived to "reinvent" himself, and possibly had the longest running career because of it. Like Lawrence Welk, he had a quiet, fanatical following till the end... and them some ... Another CD from '66 features Louis Prima from The Sahara with his new female vocalist Gia Malone (his 5th wife) who sounds a lot (A LOT) like one of Prima's previous wives, Keely Smith ... The CD featuring Woody Herman's Thundering Herd shakes the speakers. There's a lot of power there, until Mel Torme emerges to soften things up ... The George Shearing CD is xylophonish and relaxing ... The Stan Getz, Gene Krupa and Maynard Ferguson is for the jazz cats ... Anyway, this six-CD selection makes for a great eclectic gift when you want to give the gift of big band music ... and have no idea what to give. It's smartly packaged and you can rest assured, they don't already have it. Visit Request Records