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The Modernaires are considered by music historians to be one of the most influential and innovative vocal groups in popular music. Their music is a microcosm of the romantic melancholy and elegance in the face of adversity that was present in the WWII years. Backup singers for the Glenn Miller orchestra during the first half of the decade, a few of their hit recordings with Miller would be reprised by the Modernaires after Miller was lost over the English Channel in 1944. Paula Kelly, the girl singer for Artie Shaw and Dick Stabile, joined Miller in 1940 and became Mrs. Hal Dickenson (The Modernaires' unofficial group leader) soon after. Still associated with Miller in the public's mind, their July, 1946 single "Salute to Glenn Miller," a medley of 4 Miller standards, was a top 20 hit for the group. There are 20 hits here, from heartstring-tugging romantic love songs like "There, I've Said It Again" (the first top 20 release for the group, in 1945) and "The Night is Young and You're So Beautiful," to jive and swing numbers like "Juke Box Saturday Night" and "La Cucaracha;" and novelty numbers like "The Dummy Song." "To Each His Own," a landmark number 3 single for the group in 1946, became a hit for the Platters in 1960. Excellent and recommended. |
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