Bunny Berigan

The third and final volume of two-fers that reissue all of the Bunny Berigan big-band's Victor recordings is a large improvement over Vol. 2. Covering a chaotic 17-month period in Berigan's life (the orchestra had several disasters before collapsing completely), strangely enough, their output in 1938 seemed to improve as they went along. At one point, Berigan had strong soloists in trombonist Ray Coniff and tenor saxophonist Georgie Auld, and a young Buddy Rich (who is heard here prior to joining Artie Shaw's Orchestra) really propelled the ensembles. "Livery Stable Blues," "High Society," "Sobbin' Blues," "I Cried for You," "Night Song" and a six-song Bix Beiderbecke tribute set are among the highpoints of this excellent reissue. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide