Customer Reviews

Bg in Hi-Fi

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like "The Benny Goodman Story" (green album cover version), this is a swinging session with studio musicians. Recorded in the 1950s, it features 12 big band tunes and 8 small group recordings. Excellent Hi-Fi mono sound quality. Highly recommended.

Back in the 50s these tunes came out on 45 rpm and I loved them. Later they came out on 10 and 12 inch 33 1/2 rpm. Now I have them on CD. In spite of some cool reviews I think Benny is in fine form on this CD. The ensemble is crisp and swinging. The rythmn section, while not Basie, is clean and supportive. Mel Powell is sparkling and swinging. The real star is Ruby Braff who has never sounded better. The CD has a couple of tunes that were not on the 12 inch vinyl and one of them, "I would do anything for you" is a stunner. A great CD.

I remember reading a review years ago that Benny Goodman's 1954 album B.G. in Hi Fi was worth seeking out as one of his best disc's ever. A triumph for the King of Swing freshly recording many of his signiture swing tunes in glorious hi fi! This is an understatement! Unfortunately the boneheads at Capitol Records have not included the BEST of the sessions big band songs such as "Moonglow", "King Porter Stomp" and argueably Goodman's most famous song "Sing, Sing, Sing". Those songs are truely worth seeking out if you can find the original lp. It's not to say that the small group recordings are not anything less than excellant but why not keep with the original intent/concept of album - big band swing!

It's like taking Sinatra's "Only the Lonely" lp and intermixing some of his big band sides while deleting "One For My Baby". Doesn't make a lot of sense unless your a brainless record label executive.

Still a great cd but a little disappointing.

This CD is packed full of tunes that are sure to make you want to get up and move around. The sound quality is good, the tunes are great, and the band is swinging. If you want a great CD by Benny Goodman that will keep you wanting more then buy this one. You will not regret it.

Supurb CD! If you just purchase one Goodman CD--let it be this one. None of his big bands ever sounded more mature, well rehearsed, and sharper than this group. This is about as good as big band music gets! (The sound quality is very nice, too).

Several people complained that several songs are missing: King Porter Stomp, Moonglow, and Sing,Sing,Sing. To end the confusion, those titles are included on the next Goodman CD - "Mr. Benny Goodman, Benny Goodman Story", ("The Green Album") released by Capitol in 1955. The original B.G. In Hi-Fi lp had 12 songs on it, the 45 ep's had more. This Cd has 20 songs on it, which includes previously unissued recordings. My recommendation is to purchase the Green album along with this one, and it will complete Goodman's 1954-55 Capitol series. You shouldn't be disappointed.The Benny Goodman Story

I want to back up what a previous reviewer stated about the cd version missing songs originally included on the lp version.

Why? These songs are excellent.

As for the recording, the performance is a good as Goodman ever did in the 30's and 40's with better recording techiques.

This is probably the best "modern" Goodman recording.

It would get a five if it did not exclude those songs.

As it does, I give it a three for negligence and hope the recording will be reissued with these songs included.

By the way, why does Amazon include a 'NO' in 'was this review helpful to you?'. People are only human and don't like opinions that differ from themselves, thus the 'NO' makes it too easy express such displeasure.

Are they trying to discourage negative reviews, hence not purchase the CD. Such reviews only help a person in not being dissatisfied a product that received positive reviews