This two-CD set improves upon the original two-LP package by adding 14 more songs. The pop side of Billy Eckstine was emphasized during his period with MGM and many of these selections (including hit versions of "Everything I Have Is Yours," "Blue Moon," "Caravan," "My Foolish Heart," and "I Apologize") feature his warm baritone backed by string sections. There are some exceptions, including "Mr. B's Blues" (which gives Eckstine a chance to solo on valve trombone), dates with Woody Herman and George Shearing, eight numbers on which the singer is accompanied by the Bobby Tucker Quartet, and a pair of wonderful performances with the Metronome All-Stars in 1953 (a group that includes trumpeter Roy Eldridge, both Lester Young and Warne Marsh on tenors, and vibraphonist Terry Gibbs). Although not as essential from the jazz standpoint as Billy Eckstine's earlier big-band dates, this two-fer features the singer at the peak of his powers; five ballad duets with Sarah Vaughan are a highlight. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
The Pied Pipers (Ensemble), Billy Bauer (Guitar), Louie Bellson (Drums), Buddy Childers (Trumpet), Billy Eckstine (Trumpet), Billy Eckstine (Trombone (Valve)), Billy Eckstine (Vocals), Billy Eckstine (Main Performer), Harry "Sweets" Edison (Trumpet), Roy Eldridge (Trumpet), Terry Gibbs (Vibraphone), Jimmy Giuffre (Sax (Tenor)), Wardell Gray (Sax (Tenor)), Woody Herman (Clarinet), Woody Herman (Conductor), Woody Herman (Sax (Alto)), Woody Herman (?), Barney Kessel (Guitar), Warne Marsh (Sax (Tenor)), Ted Nash (Sax (Tenor)), Max Roach (Drums), George Shearing (Piano), George Shearing (Ensemble), Willie Smith (Sax (Alto)), Teddy Wilson (Piano), Lester Young (Sax (Tenor)), Pete Candoli (Trumpet), John Graas (French Horn), John LaPorta (Clarinet), Ray Linn (Trumpet), Joe Roland (Vibraphone), Arnold Ross (Piano), Pete Rugolo (Arranger), Pete Rugolo (?), Babe Russin (Sax (Tenor)), Buddy Baker (Arranger), Buddy Baker (Conductor), Buddy Baker (?), The Metronome All-Stars (Ensemble), Hal Schaefer (Piano), Bob Bain (Guitar), Felix Slatkin (Violin), Felix Slatkin (Vocals), Si Zentner (Trombone), Shorty Rogers (Trumpet), Al McKibbon (Bass), Eddie Safranski (Bass), Frank Beach (Trumpet), Edward Bergman (Violin), Edward Bergman (Vocals), Milt Bernhart (Trombone), Artie Bernstein (Bass), Denzil Best (Drums), Harry Betts (Trombone), Lou Bring (Arranger), Lou Bring (Conductor), Lou Bring (?), Sonny Burke (?), Red Callender (Bass), Frank Carlson (Drums), Russ Case (?), John Cave (French Horn), Joe Comfort (Bass), Conrad Gozzo (Trumpet), Art Drelinger (Clarinet), Art Drelinger (Clarinet (Bass)), Art Drelinger (Sax (Tenor)), Walter Edelstein (Violin), Walter Edelstein (Vocals), Gene Englund (Tuba), David Frisina (Violin), David Frisina (Vocals), Chuck Gentry (Sax (Baritone)), Al Hendrickson (Guitar), Hugo Winterhalter (?), Jimmy Jones (Piano), Kathyrine Julye (Harp), George Kast (Violin), George Kast (Vocals), Jules Kinsler (Woodwind), Harry Klee (Woodwind), Manny Klein (Trumpet), Joe Koch (Woodwind), Michael Lang (Supervisor), Steve Lasker (?), Steve Lasker (Dubs), Joe Mondragon (Bass), Vito Mangano (Trumpet), Toots Mondello (Clarinet), Toots Mondello (Flute), Aric Lach Morrison (Production Assistant), Nelson Riddle (Arranger), Nelson Riddle (?), Erno Neufeld (Violin), Erno Neufeld (Vocals), Bob Porter (Producer), Jimmy Priddy (Trombone), Peter Pullman (Editing), Lou Raderman (Violin), Lou Raderman (Vocals), Milt Raskin (Piano), Paul Robyn (Viola), Hank Ross (Clarinet), Hank Ross (Clarinet (Bass)), Hank Ross (Sax (Tenor)), Nathan Ross (Violin), Nathan Ross (Vocals), Mischa Russell (Violin), Mischa Russell (Vocals), Sarah Vaughan (Vocals), Phil Schaap (?), Phil Schaap (Research), Phil Schaap (Dubs), Jon Schapiro (Production Assistant), Wilbur Schwartz (Sax (Alto)), Richard Seidel (Producer), Richard Seidel (Executive Producer), Bunny Shawker (Drums), Marshall Sosson (Vocals), David Sterkin (Viola), Paul Tanner (Trombone), Bobby Tucker (Piano), Bobby Tucker (Conductor), Sid Weiss (Bass), Kai Winding (Trombone), Samuel Cytron (Violin), Samuel Cytron (Vocals), William Hinshaw (French Horn), Eleanor Slatkin (Cello), Sam Weiss (Drums), Victor Bay (Violin), Victor Bay (Vocals), Lee Jeske (Liner Notes), Michael Lang (?), Gordon Lee (?), Nick Pisani (Violin), Nick Pisani (Vocals), Olcott Vail (Violin), Olcott Vail (Vocals), Lee Young (Drums), Harry Blostein (Violin), Harry Blostein (Vocals), Bernard Kaufman (Clarinet), Bernard Kaufman (Flute), Dick Kenney (Trombone), Edward Kuczborski (Trombone), Rubin Zarchy (Trumpet), Dick Evans (Guitar), Woody Herman & His Orchestra (Orchestra), Woody Herman & His Orchestra (?), Suha Gur (Mastering), Hal Mooney Orchestra (Orchestra), Hal Mooney Orchestra (?), Adam Palter (Design Coordinator), Scott Townsend (Art Direction), Scott Townsend (Design), Warren Webb (Woodwind), Elizabeth Greenschpoon (Cello), Lewis Raymond (Arranger), Cyrus Witjas (Cello), Art Drellinger (Clarinet), Art Drellinger (Clarinet (Bass)), Art Drellinger (Sax (Tenor)), Kenny Rich (Trombone), Jim Jamison (Trombone), Sonny Burke & Orchestra (Orchestra), Pete Rugolo & Orchestra (Orchestra), Henry Hill (Violin), Henry Hill (Vocals), Joe Lipman Orchestra (?)
