Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Benny Goodman 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 Review: Well Filtered Collection
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.
Customer Review: Excellent Goodman and Jazz Era CD
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.