Benny Goodman

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mark0tz
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Benny Goodman

#1 Post by mark0tz » Mon Apr 28, 2003 10:31 am

Can we start exploring individual artists? Maybe this was bandied about on the previous e-mail list, but I thought it'd be a nice idea to talk about the songs/albums of specific artists that we have come to really enjoy spinning -- kind of like how the Nina Simone thread went. Pick an artist any artist and go with him/her; I'll start with Benny Goodman:

I'll admit, my Benny Goodman collection is lacking. Maybe that's why I started this with him. *shrug*

B.G. in HiFi
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... 47gjur86ip
Nice CD; I like several tracks on it. However, the highlights of this CD seem a little lacking in energy whereas the 'earlier' recordings have more punch. Big John's Special (overplayed version) for example... Very "HiFi"-ish.

Sextet
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... n8b5x4bsqf
I don't remember finding much on this CD that inspired me. Instead I prefer the small groups that I hear on:
The Genius of the Electric Guitar [Box Set].
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... dayl23xpbb

Yale Recordings, Vol. 4: Big Band Recordings
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... sqoawayijn
I had higher hopes for this CD. Lots of blaa...

Yale Recordings, Vol. 3: Big Band in Europe
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... 7zefuk7gf1
Now, this Yale recordings compilation was well worth it. Similar quality, but much better track selection.

Sing, Sing, Sing [Bluebird]
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... 7zefrk7gf8
Looks like a nice CD. Haven't had the opportunity to scan through it yet.

I have another album or two, but don't have my case in front of me to remember the title(s).
Mike Marcotte

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GemZombie
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#2 Post by GemZombie » Mon Apr 28, 2003 10:40 am

I have a B.G. Small groups disc that I've really enjoyed as of late. BG/LH/CC/etc combos were awesome.

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Greg Avakian
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#3 Post by Greg Avakian » Mon Apr 28, 2003 10:40 am

I really like "Live at the rainbow room". It's part of the yale concert series of BG recordings. I just played "Honey suckle Rose" at NADC. :)

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Mr Awesomer
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#4 Post by Mr Awesomer » Mon Apr 28, 2003 10:54 am

Sing, Sing, Sing (Bluebird) is a good early sampler. A must have for generic Goodman.

The other must have album is "Slipped Disc," though I believe it's out of print.

The only other Goodman I need is anything with Christian on it. I've pretty much passed on everything else.
Reuben Brown
Southern California

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Lawrence
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Re: Benny Goodman

#5 Post by Lawrence » Mon Apr 28, 2003 12:28 pm

mark0tz wrote: Yale Recordings, Vol. 4: Big Band Recordings
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... sqoawayijn
I had higher hopes for this CD. Lots of blaa...

Yale Recordings, Vol. 3: Big Band in Europe
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... 7zefuk7gf1
Now, this Yale recordings compilation was well worth it. Similar quality, but much better track selection.
I agree: so much so that Volume 3 was recommended on the Austin Lindy website as the album of the week about a month and a half ago. :) ( http://www.austinlindy.com/benny_goodman1.htm ) Volume 7 is also good, which has a great, softer version of "Splanky" that I like to play for a change of pace. I was likewise disappointed with the "Big Band recordings" Volume 4, especially because I found Vols 3 and 7 first and had higher expectations. The Yale recordings are some of my favorite Goodman material, but certainly not because of their high-energy enthusiasm.


As we have discussed to death elsewhere, I am not a big fan of Swing Era stuff for dancing due to the lo-fidelity, which was Benny's "prime" period. He was obviously historically significant and I enjoy listening to his music (if only for a sentimental "throwback" to the 1996 Swing-fad days :roll: ), but expecting DJs to play Benny Goodman is like suggesting that Rave or Hip Hop club DJs should play Britney Spears (unremixed) because she's popular. Not that I would refuse a request, just that it is not on my "A" list. I don't even think much Goodman is on the "A" list of DJs who prefer Swing Era stuff, as manifested by Reuben's post.
Lawrence Page
Austin Lindy Hop
http://www.AustinLindy.com

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main_stem
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#6 Post by main_stem » Mon Apr 28, 2003 12:41 pm

The Goodman stuff I pull from are the Birth Of Swing Box Set, After'You've Gone (trio and Quartet Recordings) and The Charlie Christian box set. Other than that I'm good on Goodamn.
"We called it music."
— Eddie Condon

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Ron
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#7 Post by Ron » Mon Apr 28, 2003 3:03 pm

I was thinking about picking up some more Goodman small group stuff. You really like that After You've Gone Goodman CD, huh?

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LazyP
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#8 Post by LazyP » Tue Apr 29, 2003 12:12 am

I've never really enjoyed Goodman much. I must admit I haven't explored all of his stuff but what I've heard haven't made me think it would be worth the effort. There are so many other artists from the same years that I find much more interesting.
I actually don't think I've ever played anything by Goodman at a swing dance.

/Patrik
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Matthew
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#9 Post by Matthew » Fri May 30, 2003 12:50 am

I enjoy a lot of Benny Goodman's stuff, even though it may not swing as hard as Basie's or others'.

Some of my favorite BG tracks include:

"Bach Goes to Town" (approx. 190BPM) (yes, he does)
"Air Mail Special" (215)
"Bugle Call Rag" (tends to run about 250BPM)
"Bumble Bee Stomp" (255) (uh-huh)
"Hi Ya, Sophia" (265) (sounds like Skittles)
"How High the Moon" (150)
"Rachel's Dream" (280)
"Riffin' the Scotch" (185) (vocal: Billie Holiday)
"Sing, Sing, Sing" (225 or so) (yes, it gets played all the time, but I still like it)
"Royal Garden Blues" (200)
"Superman" (190)
"The Count" (170)
"Swingtime in the Rockies" (230).

Many of them are faster than average, but my taste runs that way.

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#10 Post by Roy » Fri May 30, 2003 7:09 am

I play a few of the Charlie Chritian tunes otherwise I don't play him much.

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GemZombie
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#11 Post by GemZombie » Fri May 30, 2003 2:12 pm

I play a bit of BG... espeically the Combo stuff with Christian.

I haven't heard "Superman"... I wonder if I have it somewhere...

time to go rummage.

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CafeSavoy
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#12 Post by CafeSavoy » Sat May 31, 2003 10:19 pm

i agree that "birth of swing" and "sing sing sing" are the essential compilations. The Yale University stuff is nice too.

Lorenzo1950
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#13 Post by Lorenzo1950 » Sun Jun 01, 2003 10:08 am

Everytime I hear Sing, Sing, Sing anymore I think of the jams at Glen Echo. It shouldn't be that way because it is a great song.

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Ryan
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#14 Post by Ryan » Sun Jun 01, 2003 7:54 pm

Being a huge Hampton fan I am very pleased with BG's complete small group recordings.

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#15 Post by Lorenzo1950 » Sun Jun 01, 2003 8:12 pm

As great as Gene Krupa was, some people thought the band sounded better with Dave Tough on drums. Tough was not a showman and rarely took solos but he was a great cymbal player and could really drive the band. The song "Solo Flight" is a good example of Tough's drumming and a showcase for Charlie Christian's guitar.

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