This stellar, two-CD set was to become a commercial CD, but the deal never happened. Coming directly from the acetates owned by Bob Bierman, this two-CD set is comprised of radio airshots from early 1941, when Anita O'Day just joined the band and Shorty Sherock was the pre-Roy Eldridge trumpeter. These transcriptions from CBS Radio, The Fitch Bandwagon and the like have surprisingly good fidelity, and accurately capture the raw excitement this version of the band could generate. Gene is also featured in several radio skits, demonstrates drum rudiments, sits in with a classical pianist and much, much more. Never released anywhere in any manner, this is over 80 minutes of music on two CDs.