Pianist Larry Green led one of the many orchestras of the 1940s who played music aimed at the middle ground of popular entertainment, rather than the swinging big band style of many bands of those times. Coming later to the scene than many of the noted names of the 1930s, he enjoyed a few years in the chart spotlight during the post-war era recording both standards and versions of the hot songs of the moment, before his music was overtaken by the emerging solo stars and the changing market.

This 50-track collection features selected A & B sides from his releases on RCA-Victor during this era, and features all his career hits, including the Top 10 hits Near You and Beg Your Pardon, plus Bella Bella Marie, Bewitched and Can Anyone Explain (No! No! No!). There are a number of characteristic instrumental arrangements, but most of the tracks feature vocal performances by one of his various vocalists and vocal groups, including Gil Phelan, Don Grady, Ray Dorey, Paul Sania, The Honeydreamers and Three Beaus And A Peep. It also includes releases by Larry Green at the piano with hit trio The Three Suns. He is an artist about whom not much is known or heard about these days, and we trust that will be welcome addition to Acrobat’s range of artists from what some nostalgia buffs call the “golden age of popular music”.

It is a collection which undoubtedly captures an enjoyable slice of the sweet sound which proved popular in  the late 1940s and, with Larry Green’s piano taking a significant role in many of the arrangements, it also gives us a decent flavour of what made his sound and style distinctive. Even if it broke no startling new ground in the grand scheme, it features top class performances and arrangements.

TRACKS