Best of Big Bands

Best Of Big Bands (Series), Benny Goodman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 19, 1989)
• Original Release Date: January 16, 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000026VK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,670 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Don't Be That Way

2. What's New?

3. Taking a Chance on Love

4. My Old Flame

5. Shake Down the Stars

6. Tangerine

7. How High the Moon

8. Air Mail Special

9. How Long Has This Been Going On?

10. Why Don't You Do Right?

11. Symphony

12. I'm Nobody's Baby

13. Close as Pages in a Book

14. Something New

15. My Guy's Come Back

16. Somebody Stole My Gal

Editorial Reviews

Just 19 years old, Miss Peggy displays plenty of raw talent on these rare recordings from 1941: How Deep Is the Ocean; My Old Flame; How Long Has this Been Going On? , and 13 more. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helen Swings with BG!!, March 12, 2005

By 

Canuck Teach "canuck_teach (-: :-)" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of Big Bands (Audio CD)

I am so delighted with this CD from the 'Best of the Big Bands' series--great content and great price. I already have a decent collection of Helen Forrest (with various groups) and Goodman. However, these tunes are from 1940-41, after Goodman went through a bit of a shakeup with his band. The addition of Cootie Williams and Billy Butterfield on trumpets, with Dave Tough on drums, added some 'punch' to Benny's sound, even after the departures of Harry James and Gene Krupa. Forrest is terrific, as usual.
Personally, I think there's nothing better than a great swing orchestra, blending sweet vocals with 'hot' solos by the top jazzmen on traks like 'Perfidia' or 'Corn Silk'. I could listen to this stuff all day! I'm just glad that there always seems to something new you can discover from this great era of music.
- canuckteach - swing webcaster (live365.com)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great music - but by whom, May 27, 2005

By 

Stanley Bara - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best of Big Bands (Audio CD)

the music on this cd is great - my only complaint: the singers are not adequately identified - i can identify peggy lee and helen forrest but what songs are louise tobin and jane harvey's - their voices are not immediately identifiable - also, who is the male vocalist ? no list of personnel or recording dates - very poor liner notes !

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Benny Goodman needed her!, September 19, 2002

By 

Valery Murdock (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best of Big Bands (Audio CD)

God gave Helen Forrest a voice that should be worshipped as divine. She sings like warm honey, and her sense of timing pulls at your heart. She's passionate and perfect, and an intense pleasure to listen to. That woman was the best thing that ever happened to Benny Goodman, and the man was a [bad guy] to let her go and hire Peggy Lee. Here's to you, Helen! May your voice be recognized as the finely tuned instrument it is, and may it be heard forever by those who can appreciate its beauty!