Why Don't You Do Right? - Benny Goodman, McCoy, Joe [1]
After You've Gone - Benny Goodman, Creamer, Henry
Stompin' at the Savoy - Benny Goodman, Goodman, Benny
Sing, Sing, Sing - Benny Goodman, Prima, Louis
Symphony - Benny Goodman, Alstone, Alex
Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away) - Benny Goodman, Gershwin, George
How Am I to Know? - Benny Goodman, King, Jack
Goodbye - Benny Goodman, Jenkins, Gordon [1]
While many greatest hits collections are satisfied with recapitulating bestsellers, this is a thoughtful selection of some genuine highlights from Benny Goodman's Columbia recordings, giving real perspective on the years w... more »hen he virtually defined the swing era. He was as great a talent scout as he was a clarinetist, and fine performances by Lionel Hampton, Cootie Williams, Harry James, and Teddy Wilson abound. "Flying Home" is heard in the sextet version with the brilliant Charlie Christian on guitar, while the hit "Why Don't You Do Right?" launched Peggy Lee's career. Four tracks come from Goodman's Live at Carnegie Hall 1938, and they're all extended performances, climaxing with the 12-minute version of "Sing, Sing, Sing," Gene Krupa's driving tom-toms defining the excitement of the era. The CD extends to the 1950s to include lesser-known gems such as the later sextet version of "How Am I to Know?"--a lovely ballad setting for Goodman. --Stuart Broomer« less
While many greatest hits collections are satisfied with recapitulating bestsellers, this is a thoughtful selection of some genuine highlights from Benny Goodman's Columbia recordings, giving real perspective on the years when he virtually defined the swing era. He was as great a talent scout as he was a clarinetist, and fine performances by Lionel Hampton, Cootie Williams, Harry James, and Teddy Wilson abound. "Flying Home" is heard in the sextet version with the brilliant Charlie Christian on guitar, while the hit "Why Don't You Do Right?" launched Peggy Lee's career. Four tracks come from Goodman's Live at Carnegie Hall 1938, and they're all extended performances, climaxing with the 12-minute version of "Sing, Sing, Sing," Gene Krupa's driving tom-toms defining the excitement of the era. The CD extends to the 1950s to include lesser-known gems such as the later sextet version of "How Am I to Know?"--a lovely ballad setting for Goodman. --Stuart Broomer
Michael G. Patterson | Florence, Alabama USA | 03/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was not a Benny Goodman fan, that is, until I heard a program on National Public Radio about the 1938 concert he and his band put on at Carnegie Hall. As a part of that program, they played a cut from the 2-CD release of the concert recording. This was the 12 minute long, "Sing, Sing, Sing".That cut was one of the best live recording of music I'd ever heard.I became a Benny Goodman fan that night.This CD has four cuts from the 1938 concert. These are, arguably, the four best songs played that night. In addition, unlike the 2-CD concert recording, these cuts have been digitally "cleaned up" and most of the noise from the defects in the master are gone. They are, in and of themselves, GREAT STUFF! Listening to these live recordings of the likes of Harry James, Gene Krupa, and Lionel Hampton, all performing on the same stage, is an exciting experience. Knowing that this was recorded 62 years ago adds an element of timelesness and gives me the impression that I'm hearing one of the great chronicles of music.This CD, however. contains not only these live recordings but, also, some other great music. For me, a new Benny Goodman listener, most of cuts on this CD have been a real source of pleasure.I can surely recommend this item."
It's a good thing it's not possible to wear out a CD!
W. H. Jamison, Jr. | Burien, Washington United States | 11/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Because otherwise I would have done it with this one. While I recommend that dedicated Goodman fans should get the RCA collections of his works I have to recommend this CD as an excellent overview of what Benny Goodman was all about. There are four tracks on the CD that I absolutely love. Track 4, _Flying Home_ is a beautiful piece of music, Track 5, _Memories of You_ is a wonderful, melancholy piece. Track 12, _Sing, Sing, Sing_ is 12 minutes long, it is a recording from a 1938 concert and it includes a raucous Gene Krupa drum solo that cannot be beat. This song segues into another number called _Christopher Columbus_ and you can hear some audience noise in the background and some laughter, making you wonder what Benny and the band were up to. Track 8 is a neat rendition of _Why Don't you Do Right_ which some may remember Jessica Rabbit singing in _Who Framed Roger Rabbit_. I would have loved to see Benny Goodman and his orchestra playing live, but failing that this CD is probably the next best thing."
The best single CD collection from the true "King of Swing"
Tom | Pawtucket, RI | 02/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are a few single-CD Benny Goodman "best of" collections available. This one is probably the best for some very good reasons. It has 16 cuts, more than the other popular collections. There are tunes from Goodman's most famous performance, the 1938 Carnagie Hall concert. Selections from this show include Don't Be That Way, the show's opener, and Sing, Sing, Sing, which may be the most famous swing song of all time. This show was performed when the band was at its height, and included Gene Krupa (the most famous jazz drummer of the swing era), Harry James (trumpet), and Lionel Hampton (vibraphone), all stars who eventually started their own bands. Unlike the 11 cut "This is Jazz - Benny Goodman", it also has Let's Dance, another famous Goodman tune. The sound quality of this CD isn't even that bad, considering the age of the performances. Unfortunately, this collection omits King Porter Stomp (included on "This is Jazz"), but arguably makes up for it with Stompin' at the Savoy, a swing standard co-written by Goodman (and performed at the Carnagie Hall show). Even at full list price, this CD would be a bargain. "16 Most Requested Songs" is a great introduction to Goodman's music, as well as the world of swing, and it would also make an outstanding gift for someone who has only heard songs from the current "swing revivial"."
Good CD for new Goodman fans
rnovy@kepnet.com | California | 04/28/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD has many of Goodman's most popular songs, and is a great CD to use as an introduction to the music of this jazz great."
When swing was popular...the first time
hawk1138 | U.S. | 12/20/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The swing fad of the nineties came and, as everyone knew it would, went. But Benny Goodman reigned supreme in a time when swing was more than just a fad, however, and you can hardly find a more worthwile compilation than this CD. Sing, Sing, Sing is of course the best song from the swing era (with the possible exception of Miller's In the Mood), and the extended version contained on this CD is a treat. Add in Flying Home and How Am I to Know? and you've got a must-have collection for anyone interested in swing. The recordings are live; you can hear the audience react and pull you into their joy. It's hard not to. And if the sound is not as clear and crisp as music recorded today, it's still remarkable for a 1938 recording. Better than you might expect. Turn it up and bop along with the master."