Various Artists - Best Big Band Era - 1946 (1997)

"Best Big Band Era - 1946" is a meticulously curated musical anthology released by Legacy Recordings that transports the listener to the first full post-war year. The compilation reflects the unique atmosphere of 1946, where the euphoria of victory gave way to a desire for domestic comfort and romance, leading to a softening of jazz rhythms. The tracklist features the major hits of the time, dominated by "Sweet Bands" and prominent vocalists. Included are iconic recordings such as Vaughn Monroe's melancholic "The Things We Did Last Summer" and Perry Como's romantic "Prisoner of Love." This release serves as a document of the era marking the twilight of classic big bands and the dawn of traditional pop music.

Tracklist:
1-1 Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra - Oh! What It Seemed To Be [2:37]
1-2 Perry Como - Prisoner of Love [3:30]
1-3 Dinah Shore - Personality (from the Paramount picture "Road To Utopia") [2:51]
1-4 Freddy Martin And His Orchestra - To Each His Own (Inspired by the Paramount Picture "To Each His Own") [3:06]
1-5 Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra;Sammy Kaye And His Orchestra - The Old Lamplighter [3:06]
1-6 Tex Beneke And His Orchestra - (Give Me) Five Minutes More [2:30]
1-7 Betty Rhodes - Rumors Are Flying [3:07]
1-8 Vaughn Monroe And His Orchestra - The Things We Did Last Summer [3:14]
1-9 Perry Como - Surrender [3:14]
1-10 Sammy Kaye;Mary Marlow - The Gypsy [3:14]