AMG Review of Missing Chapters, Vol. 1: American Patrol

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

This is the first of six CD sets (nine CDs in all) put out by the English Avid label that feature the legendary Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. Of the 45 numbers on this twofer, 38 are available domestically on the three-CD RCA set The Secret Broadcasts but completists will prefer to get Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 of the Avid series instead since together they have 19 additional performances. The oversized Miller aggregation (which had a full string section, singer Johnny Desmond and the Crew Chiefs, a swinging rhythm section and such top soloists as pianist Mel Powell, clarinetist Peanuts Hucko and trumpeters Bobby Nichols and Bernie Privin) alternates swing, fresh remakes of Miller's earlier hits, mood music, romantic vocal ballads and patriotic numbers quite effectively. This was a classic band and swing collectors will want all six of the Avid releases.