The American Band of the Allied Expeditionary Force includes: Major Glenn Miller (conductor); Sgt. Johnny Desmond (vocals); Sgt. Hank Freeman, Cpl. Freddy Guerra (alto saxophone); Sgt. Peanuts Hucko (alto & tenor saxophones, clarinet); Pfc. Manny Thaler (alto & baritone saxophones, clarinet, bass clarinet); Sgt. Vince Carbone, Cpl. Jack Ferrier (tenor saxophone); Sgt. Zeke Zarchy, Sgt. Bernie Privin, Sgt. Bobby Nichols, Pfc. Jack Steele (trumpet); Sgt. Jimmy Priddy, Sgt. John Halliburton, Pfc. Larry Hall, Pfc. Nat Peck (trombone); Cpl. Addison Collins Jr. (French horn); S/Sgt. George Ochner (violin); Sgt. Dave Schwartz, Sgt. Emanuel Wishnow (viola); Cpl. Maurice Bialkin (cello); Sgt. Mel Powell (piano); Sgt. Carmen Mastren (guitar); Sgt. Trigger Alpert (bass); Sgt. Ray McKinley (drums).

Crew Chiefs Singing Group: Sgt. Steve Steck, Cpl. Murray Kane, Cpl. Artie Malvin, Pfc. Lynn Allison, Pfc. Gene Steck (vocals).

Compilation producers: Hugh Palmer, Ted Kendall.

Recorded at EMI Studio One, London, England in October and November, 1944. Includes liner notes by Geoffrey Butcher, Hugh Palmer and Ted Kendall.

Personnel: Irene Manning, Lynn Allison, Gene Steck, Murray Kane, Steve Steck, Johnny Desmond, Artie Malvin (vocals); Carmen Mastren (guitar); Nathan Kaproff, George Ockner, Dave Herman, Milton Edelson, Richard Motylinski, Earl Cornwell, David Sackson, Eugene Bergen, Fred Ostrovsky, Ernest Kardos, Joseph Kowalewski, Carl Swanson, Phil Cogliano, Harry Katzman (violin); Dave Schwartz, Emanuel Wishnow (viola); Maurice Bialkin, Bob Ripley, Mel Powell (cello); Peanuts Hucko (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Manny Thaler (bass clarinet, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Freddy Guera, Hank Freeman (alto saxophone); Vince Carbone, Jack Ferrier (tenor saxophone); Whitey Thomas, Jack Steele, Zeke Zarchy, Bernie Privin, Bobby Nichols (trumpet); Addison Collins (French horn); Nat Peck, Larry Hall , Johnny Halliburton, Jimmy Priddy (trombone); Jack Russin (piano); Frank Ippolito, Ray McKinley (drums).

Audio Remasterer: Ted Kendall.

Liner Note Author: Geoffrey Butcher.

Recording information: 10/30/1944-11/27/1944.

Photographer: Richard March.

Unknown Contributor Role: The American Band of the Allied Expeditionary Force.

Arrangers: Ralph Wilkinson; Glenn Miller; Jerry Gray; Norman Leyden; Bill Finegan.

For fans of bandleader Glenn Miller, this two-disc collection is a gold mine. Recorded at the historic Abbey Road Studios in London shortly before Miller's untimely death in 1944, this music captures a period in world history that will never be forgotten. In the wake of the D-Day invasion in Europe, Miller was creating propaganda music to be broadcast over enemy lines. What better than hot jazz and dance music to distract the worn-out German soldiers?

In addition to hard-swinging instrumental tracks, THE LOST RECORDINGS features many popular vocal ballads. However, what separates these showtunes from other recordings of the era is the fact that most of these selections, including the sweet "All the Things You Are," are sung in German. On this track, the brass and strings swoon underneath Irene Manning's supple, operatic voice. There are also many upbeat numbers found here. For instance, "Caribbean Clipper" is sure to get toes tapping and adrenaline rushing, as the blaring brass and the bouncy saxophones highlight Miller's ability to create infectious swing music.

Entertainment Weekly (9/6/96, p.77) - "...a major rediscovery. Although some [tracks] have circulated on lower-fidelity bootlegs, most of these 36 sides--gorgeously scored, precisely executed, and dripping with nostalgia--will be new to listeners." - Rating: A