A program of mainly historic interest that, nonetheless, was worth viewing.
For me, as much as the music, it was the interviews with the ever suave Ellington, the black and white shots of New York City in the 1930s, and the dancers Jitterbugging and Lindyhopping that got my pulses racing. I had hoped for some footage of the Chick Webb Band at the Savoy Ballroom or the 1930s Basie Band with Lester and Sweets, and how could they 'do' Swing Era and not mention Gene Krupa or Harry James?
But, despite its failings, the program whizzed by and I look forward to the next two nights which include concerts by Basie and Oscar Peterson as well as documentaries on Billie and Bird. There is also an interview with Artie Shaw that is worth watching if you haven't already seen it.
1 comment :
Agreed Lance,lovely caressing of the keys by Basie, what a joy all this is, as I write we are watching Judy, Frank. How privileged we are to have lived through an era of true stars.
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