Customer Reviews

Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert 1938, Vol. 1

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

 

 

I had this concert on vinyl since 1951. I bought different 3 CD set for my own enjoyment (Gold Remasters) (Benny Goodman 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert plus 1944-1947 small group and big band masterpieces) and like it a lot. So I ordered 3 copies of this 2004 Membran Music Ltd version (above) for gifts and found the recording technique (minus the remastering) to be so poor it hurt to listen to it. This is a MONAURAL original transcription that sounds like the microphone was placed directly in front of the drums. If you're looking for good sound, avoid this cd.

It pains me to give less than 5 stars to this monumental recording, but the background noises compromise it just a trifle. I've listened to this 1938 Carnegie Hall concert since I was a kid on vinyl, and the vinyl versions, produced in the 60's and 70's, are superior in sound quality to this. I'm no expert on modern musical technology, but there must be a way to eliminate some of the annoying buzz in the background.

Now, having dispensed with this criticism, the music played on this date is astonishing. Here are the definitive Goodman versions of three of his classic tracks, "Sing, Sing, Sing," "One O'Clock Jump" and the incomparable "Don't Be That Way." This last song is average in the studio-recorded Bluebird version, but this live song is enlivened by some of Krupa's greatest bass beats. This will have you jumpin' out of your seat, guaranteed!

Benny's band was at its apex here and it shows. All too soon, both Gene Krupa and Harry James would be leaving the band. I recommend this disc as an essential popular recording of the 20th century, but beware of the background hiss throughout.

Oh! This Album if you are a big band lover is a must have and even if your not the 11 minute cut of sing sing sing is the one of the most exciting pieces of music ever recorded and has appeared as a musical backdrop in many a film for good reason in 1938 the sold out crowd was ready and bristled with electric excitement to hear the most famous band in america Goodman had assembled with Harry James trumpet, Gene Krupa drums Jess Stacey on the piano lionel Hampton on the vibes and Benny Goodman on the clarinet and that night they showed why. all the now famous musicians were at the top of the game playing "stomping at savoy, Avalon, one o`clock jump and other classics they had the normally conservative crowd jumping out their seats shouting whistling, cheering clapping dancing in the aisles and you can feel and hear this especially during and after Sing sing sing buy it listen to it and enjoy it for years