Customer Reviews

Vol 3: All the Cats Join In

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

 

 

This recording captures the Benny Goodman band neatly straddling the swing era and post-swing big band modernism. The Mel Powell, Buck Clayton and Eddie Sauter arrangements are crisp and dynamic, with a lot more substance than dance band music. Really more "jazz" than "swing". Not many familiar faces in the band lineup; Kai Winding on trombone, Stan Getz on tenor, and Peggy Lee vocals stand out when I scan the lineups. Benny seems to be having the time of his life. I suspect he favored playing with these more complex arrangements to rehashing "Sing, Sing, Sing" and it's many cousins. I've listened to a lot of Goodman, this one holds up to many repeat listenings more than any I've encountered. For swing era arrangements, I prefer to go to the source (Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson), but this stuff is quite unique.

As of 2010 this is the ONLY Sony BMG issued CD that contains the "issued take" of the song "Oh Baby." The later issue contained on "Essential Benny Goodman" has a slower tempo and seems to be an "Unissued" or "alternate" take. If you are looking for a CD version of the original "Oh Baby" this is probably your only choice. The matrix that contained the original take of the song is said to no longer be in the Sony BMG vaults.

my kids love this, we listen to it in the car. Great condition great delivery

Thank you