High Society Volume 11: Big Band Jazz That Swings Like Crazy
Alright, let’s talk about High Society Volume 11 by Lester Lanin And His Orchestra. First off, if you’re into big band jazz with enough swagger to fill a ballroom, this 1961 gem is your ticket. Released in the US and Canada under Epic Stereorama (and plain old Epic), it’s got all the hits your grandparents probably slow-danced to—or at least pretended they did while sipping highballs.
Now, I’ll be honest—this album has a lot of tracks. Like, a whole bunch. But two stood out to me like glitter on a prom dress: “Mack The Knife” and “Summertime.” Let me break it down for ya.
“Mack The Knife” is just cool as heck. You know how some songs feel like they were born to make people snap their fingers in smoky lounges? Yeah, that’s this one. Lanin’s orchestra gives it a swing so smooth, you almost forget Bobby Darin didn’t sing it himself. Almost. It’s got brass that pops like bubble wrap and a rhythm section tighter than my grandma’s meatloaf recipe. This version doesn’t mess around—it knows exactly what it is, and it owns it.
Then there’s “Summertime,” which feels like lying in a hammock with lemonade sweating down the glass. Gershwin wrote it, but Lanin’s crew makes it sound like something you’d hear drifting through open windows on a lazy July afternoon. The strings are buttery, the piano tinkles just right, and the whole thing wraps around you like a warm hug from someone who smells faintly of sunscreen. If this track doesn’t put you in vacation mode, check your pulse—you might be dead inside.
Okay, so why does an album like High Society Volume 11 still matter today? Well, it’s not trying to reinvent the wheel here; it’s more like giving the wheel a fresh coat of paint and spinning it with style. Sure, some of the arrangements lean a little corny, but isn’t that part of the charm? It’s like finding an old photo of your parents looking impossibly young and awkward—you can’t help but smile.
Here’s the kicker: listening to this record made me realize something weird. Big band music is kinda like pineapple pizza—it shouldn’t work, but when done right, it’s oddly satisfying. Who knew?
So grab yourself a copy (or stream it, whatever floats your boat) and give it a spin. Just don’t blame me if you start planning a retro-themed party afterward.
