Customer Reviews

The Complete Helen Forrest with Benny Goodman

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

 

 

I'm amazed that this set, which was issued in 2001, hasn't attracted any earlier reviews, because in my opinion this should be indispensable for any devotee of the Swing Era. It spans barely eighteen months, from the very end of 1939 until mid-1941, and during that period Helen Forrest sang on the vast majority of the orchestral recordings.

There is a total of 55 tracks here, and my only minor criticism is that a self-proclaimed complete set should include both issued takes of Lazy River. Against that, a previously rejected take of I Can't Love You Any More is included, as is a late January 1941 recording of Jenny, from Lady In The Dark, on which Benny duets with Helen (which is perhaps the reason why it was not released!). That date raises another question mark though, because it included a Columbia test of an obscure number titled Afraid To Say Hello, which is not included.

Having said which, this is as close to the full works as you're likely to get, and the contrast between Benny's brilliant-toned clarinet and Helen's warm vibrato and laid-back style makes this a set to treasure.

Helen Forrest was one of the primer vocalists during the Golden Age of the Big Bands: first with Artie Shaw and then with Benny Goodman after Shaw folded his band in 1939. This collection shows Goodman's band at its best and Helen at her prime. Included are songs that even I, an avid fan of both Goodman and Forrest, don't remember from those days. These songs are some of the best from that era, and Helen sings them as they should be sung. I heartily recommend it.

This is the (almost) complete Helen Forrest with Benny Goodman. Mr. B.G. grabbed this girl vocalist almost as soon as Artie Shaw broke up his band, and she didn't have to "audition", neither. Her great recordings with Artie Shaw must have been a good resume for Goodman, who also payed her less money than Shaw did! Loved The music, all of it, "Afraid to Say Hello" is not included, but it is available elsewhere. Good set, except for a couple of tunes, where Sony slipped up and used OLD Tapes from their vaults, instead of making a new digitalized master: My Sister and I , and When The Sun Comes Out, (TERRIBLE! Helen's voice echoes as if she was singing in the Women's YWCA restroom). A couple of alternate takes are heard here: The Man I Love, and I'm Always Chasing Rainbows are substituted for the 78 rpm issues, which are available on an earlier Helen Forrest Cd. This compilation of 55 tunes is a noble effort by Sony, and I hope to see more reissues like it. If you want to follow Helen's career, check out the Complete Helen Forrest with Harry James recordings, also. Great!

Helen Forrest is one of the great vocalists of all time. The idea of her complete recordings with Benny Goodman is irresistible. Unfortunately Collector's Choice could have tried to do justice to this music by remastering them properly. As it is, these disks are unlistenable to me and that's a sad thing since Helen Forrest is my favorite vocalist. They sound is mostly shrill and actually gives me a headache. I am tempted to rip the songs into raw wav files and give it a go. I can't do worse than Sony has.

I highly recommend Helen Forrest's recordings on Jasmine Records. The two disks, Sweeter as the Years Go By and Simple and Sweet, are mostly with Artie Shaw are just great music. These are also wonderfully remastered and are very highly recommended.

If you love Helen Forrest, as I do, you must own this boxset with Benny Goodman, but be prepared for very bad sound quality.