B.G. in Hi-Fi

B.G. in Hi-Fi

ASIN: B000005HFB

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Combine this with the King of Swing's earlier-era Live at Carnegie Hall recording and you have not only Benny Goodman's two best works, but two jazz cornerstones. B.G. in Hi-Fi was recorded five years after the clarinetist had his last permanent big band (he'd work mostly with smaller combos from here on out), but all the players found on this disc are superb. And, though the big-band style may have been way past its prime in '54, Goodman certainly isn't. On tunes like "Get Happy"--one of the more spirited romps on this disc--he swings with vigor and topnotch playing. Eight cuts feature a big band; the remaining 12 are quintets. Four previously unreleased tracks (including a great rendition of "Ain't Misbehavin'" played by his quintet) are included. Excellent sound throughout, and some truly swinging, classic tunes. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

Let's Dance
Airmail Special
Ain't Misbehavin'
Get Happy
Slipped Disc
Jersey Bounce
When I Grow Too Old To Dream
You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me
Blue Lou
Jumpin' At The Woodside
Stompin' At The Savoy
Sent For You Yesterday And Here You Come Today
Rose Room
What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry
Rock Rimmon
You're A Sweetheart
Somebody Stole My Gal
(I Would Do) Anything For You
Big John's Special
Let's Dance

Amazon.com essential recording

Combine this with the King of Swing's earlier-era Live at Carnegie Hall recording and you have not only Benny Goodman's two best works, but two jazz cornerstones. B.G. in Hi-Fi was recorded five years after the clarinetist had his last permanent big band (he'd work mostly with smaller combos from here on out), but all the players found on this disc are superb. And, though the big-band style may have been way past its prime in '54, Goodman certainly isn't. On tunes like "Get Happy"--one of the more spirited romps on this disc--he swings with vigor and topnotch playing. Eight cuts feature a big band; the remaining 12 are quintets. Four previously unreleased tracks (including a great rendition of "Ain't Misbehavin'" played by his quintet) are included. Excellent sound throughout, and some truly swinging, classic tunes. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

it doesn't get much better than this.......2006-05-21

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).

Agreement with past reviewer about missing songs.......2005-04-19

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

Benny & Ruby.......2002-06-06

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.

Where's the rest of the album?.......2002-01-26

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.

One Great CD.......2001-01-26

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.

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