This 20-track companion disc to the
Ken Burns' PBS documentary The War provides a brief glimpse into the swing and pop music synonymous with World War II. Attempting to choose 20 songs for a single disc that are beloved by those who lived through that era, while also trying to sustain the curiosity of those who didn't, is a lofty goal. As it turns out,
Burns and the producers pieced together an impeccable track listing that covers the full range of emotions withstood by a generation during wartime, from the upbeat and optimistic swing performances of "Little Brown Jug" (
Glenn Miller), and "Pennies from Heaven" (
Earl Hines Orchestra with
Billie Holiday), to the melancholy romanticism of "Memories of You" (
Louis Armstrong), "Let's Get Lost" (
Frank Sinatra), and "Sentimental Journey" (
Les Brown). The liner notes are informative as every title on the soundtrack was chosen by
Burns and co-producer Lynn Novick. The interested listener should also investigate two other individual CDs coinciding with this series:
I'm Beginning to See the Light: Dance Hits from the Second World War and
Songs Without Words: Classical Music from the War. ~ Al Campbell