Benny Goodman

[mark0tz]

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).

[GemZombie]

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

[Greg Avakian]

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.

[Mr Awesomer]

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.

[Lawrence]

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 ), 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.

[main_stem]

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.

[Ron]

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

[LazyP]

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

[Matthew]

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.

[Roy]

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

[GemZombie]

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.

[CafeSavoy]

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

[Lorenzo1950]

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.

[Ryan]

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

[Lorenzo1950]

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.