Given all the recordings available of Gershwin in general, and the Rhapsody in Blue in particular, and given that there are three versions of the Rhapsody, and given that even those who love the Rhapsody most likely came to it through the full symphony version, there is a real treat in store here for those who've never heard the jazz band version, or who have heard it, loved it, but have never been able to find it anywhere.
The jazz band version was the first, and is unrelenting fun from beginning to end. There is an almost infectious joy written into the music, which is completely missing from the symphonic version. Listen to this disc and rediscover an old favorite.
