The Benny Goodman Story

Benny Goodman

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 31, 1995)
• Original Release Date: December 7, 1955
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000005H0Z
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #131,465 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The King of Swing, July 28, 2003

By	"jaricco" (Madison, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This is an amazing recording from 1955 that features Benny with an all-star studio orchestra featuring Harry James, Lionel Hampton, and Ruby Braff. These re-recordings of some of Benny's most famous songs are stunning replicas of vintage 1930s style swing a la Fletcher Henderson as they were meant to be heard, in clear, brilliant Hi-Fi sound. Some of these arrangements even come close to surpassing the original recordings, such as "Down South Camp Meetin'" (with the driving bass line provided by George Duvivier propelling the whole thing). Also, Benny himself sounds fresh and inspired in this session, playing with more fire and energy than in any other of his fifties recordings. Just one drawback, Bobby Donaldson and Don Lamond fail to capture the Krupa magic with their drumming as evident by "Sing, Sing, Sing" (Donaldson) and "Don't Be That Way" (Lamond). Wouldn't it have been great if Gene Krupa would have been present at this session with Goodman and James as he was in the film version? Nonetheless, this is a must-have BG CD, one that documents his real contribution to jazz.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars King of Swing, June 20, 2005

By	Martin 13 (Slovenia) - See all my reviews

Benny re-recorded his material in 1955 for a movie The Benny Goodman Story, with a few guests like Harry James, Lionel Hampton,...This is one of the coolest swing cd's I ever heard. Here you'll hear why Benny is the king of swing. All of his hits and more. A real must for every swing fan!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Swinging Session, January 9, 2001

By	David Abraham "dvydoo" (Utica, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A swinging session with studio musicians recorded in the 1950s. Excellent Hi-Fi mono sound quality. Highly recommended.