Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Benny Goodman

Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Benny Goodman

ASIN: B000050HVR

Track Listings

1. Waitin' For Katie

2. Clarinetitis

3. It's Tight Like That

4. Who?

5. Royal Garden Blues

6. King Porter Stomp

7. Sing, Sing, Sing

8. Roll 'Em

9. Don't Be That Way

10. Avalon

11. Flyin' Home

12. Rose Room

13. Let's Dance

14. Memories Of You

15. Benny Rides Again

16. Air Mail Special

17. Why Don't You Do Right?

18. Rachel's Dream

19. Undercurrent Blues

20. Goodbye

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This 77-minute survey of Benny Goodman's music begins with a teenaged clarinet virtuoso first establishing himself in the context of late 1920s Chicago jazz, then rapidly moving on to New York. In the process, he recorded with leading bands of the day, such as Red Nichols and his Five Pennies, and masters, like pianist Fats Waller. Goodman virtually created the swing era by combining the work of the best African American arrangers, such as Fletcher Henderson and Mary Lou Williams, with the best white musicians, like himself and drummer Gene Krupa, wrapping it up in a tightly rehearsed package. Recordings like "King Porter Stomp" and the extended "Sing, Sing, Sing" retain their excitement more than 60 years after they were recorded. Goodman also broke down social barriers when he featured black musicians on stage in his small groups, and those bands are well represented here. The trio with pianist Teddy Wilson plays "Body and Soul," "Avalon" adds vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, and there are four tracks by the sextet that introduced the great electric guitarist Charlie Christian to the world. Other highlights include the hit "Why Don't You Do Right," with an insinuating vocal by a young Peggy Lee, and the modernist "Undercurrent Blues" from 1949. --Stuart Broomer

Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Benny Goodman,Benny Goodman,Sony,Bandleader,Big Band,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Sweet Bands,Swing

Average customer rating:

Well Filtered Collection

Excellent Goodman and Jazz Era CD

Amazing!!

Meet the King of Swing

you turned the tables on me

Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000050HVR
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

Waitin' For Katie
Clarinetitis
It's Tight Like That
Who?
Royal Garden Blues
King Porter Stomp
Sing, Sing, Sing
Roll 'Em
Don't Be That Way
Avalon
Flyin' Home
Rose Room
Let's Dance
Memories Of You
Benny Rides Again
Air Mail Special
Why Don't You Do Right?
Rachel's Dream
Undercurrent Blues
Goodbye

Amazon.com

This 77-minute survey of Benny Goodman's music begins with a teenaged clarinet virtuoso first establishing himself in the context of late 1920s Chicago jazz, then rapidly moving on to New York. In the process, he recorded with leading bands of the day, such as Red Nichols and his Five Pennies, and masters, like pianist Fats Waller. Goodman virtually created the swing era by combining the work of the best African American arrangers, such as Fletcher Henderson and Mary Lou Williams, with the best white musicians, like himself and drummer Gene Krupa, wrapping it up in a tightly rehearsed package. Recordings like "King Porter Stomp" and the extended "Sing, Sing, Sing" retain their excitement more than 60 years after they were recorded. Goodman also broke down social barriers when he featured black musicians on stage in his small groups, and those bands are well represented here. The trio with pianist Teddy Wilson plays "Body and Soul," "Avalon" adds vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, and there are four tracks by the sextet that introduced the great electric guitarist Charlie Christian to the world. Other highlights include the hit "Why Don't You Do Right," with an insinuating vocal by a young Peggy Lee, and the modernist "Undercurrent Blues" from 1949. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Well Filtered Collection.......2007-01-20

The key factor in choosing this CD over other Goodman collections is the emphasis on JAZZ. Goodman recorded a lot of if not bland, then certainly restrained commercial material in his quest for broad appeal. This has lead to the false belief by some that he lacked the ability to play with the loose emotionalism that characterize the best jazz playing. This collection should help dispel that idea, covering everything from his early, more fervent clarinet playing to his brilliance as a leader on complex, modern arrangements. Chronologically programmed, the set is still carefully varied and sequenced to play well when listening straight through. Not a dull cut in the bunch. Remastering sound quality is very good, although I've heard a little better on some Columbia reissues.

Excellent Goodman and Jazz Era CD.......2006-04-29

This is one of the best examples of the golden age of clarinet and big band/jazz music that I've heard. I enjoy it a great deal and also find it helpful to me as a clarinet player when trying to improve my own style/technique. Mr. Goodman is one smooth and delightful musician. This CD has so many of his world-famous tunes that it would be hard to go wrong with it.
It also makes an excellent choice for a gift for that clarinetist in your life who is graduating from high school or college.

Amazing!!.......2006-03-19

Benny Goodman is the most amazing clarinet player in the world, in my opinion. As a clarinet player myself, I know how difficult it is to move your fingers as fast as he does, for goodness sakes he regularly plays 16th notes perfectly in time and in tune. He's a genious.

Meet the King of Swing.......2004-07-17

Here is a compilation which should appeal to old and new Benny Goodman collectors alike. It contains some of his most popular big-band hits and essential small-group recordings but also includes some rare recordings from his formative years before he became "The King of "Swing".
Anyone interested in exploring the development of Benny Goodman as an instrumentalist and bandleader will enjoy this CD.
Along with Goodman, this collection includes fine performances from other jazz greats such as Fats Waller, Jack Teagarden, Lionel Hampton and Charlie Christian, just to name a few.
The recordings in this collection are both historically significant and just plain enjoyable to hear.

you turned the tables on me.......2003-03-13

The music on this disc swings delightfully. It has a warm, friendly quality that can only remind you of your own good moods. There are tracks from the Trio, Quartet, Sextet, and Orchestra. Some live, and some studio. Although you may want to know that the following tracks are live and not the original studio recordings: King Porter Stomp, Roll `Em, You Turned the Tables on Me, Don't Be That Way, Avalon, and Goodbye. This was initially a bit of a disappointment and I wish it was stated on the printed song list as it would have informed my decision to buy this particular collection. (I was looking for the original studio recordings of a few of these tunes) I had to detract a star for this. But that aside, it's a fantastic collection!
The first five tracks are early recordings of Benny before he had his own band. They begin with Ben Pollack's Orchestra from 1927 then proceed through Jimmy Bracken's Toe Ticklers from '29, Red Nichols from '30 and Ted Lewis from '31. The collection then begins the Benny Goodman Orchestra proper at track 6 and proceeds somewhat chronologically through the 30's, making brief stops in the 40's and 50's before coming to the end. This format works pretty well but can only provide a rocket-fast overview of a massive body of work.
If you are beginning a curiosity about Benny Goodman, this is a good place, but not the best place to start. I'd recommend a collection of studio recordings such as the one from Bluebird called "Sing, Sing, Sing"
If you are already familiar with BG, then this disc is a great offering of live and scattered-date recordings Either way, it is a fantastic collection crackling with energy and sure to entertain.

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