BENNY GOODMAN & HIS ORCHESTRA - The Complete Benny in Brussels
Solar 4569965 3 CD Set
Benny Goodman ( clt )Taft Jordan ( tpt ) John Frosk ( tpt ) Emmett Berry ( tpt ) Billy Hodges ( tpt ) Rex Peer ( tmb ) Vernon Brown ( tmb ) Willie Dennis ( tmb ) Zoot Sims ( tnr ) Seldon Powell( tnr ) Ernie Mauro( alto ) Al Block ( alto ) Gene Allen ( bar ) Billy Bauer ( gtr ) Sir Roland Hanna ( pno ) Arvell Shaw ( bass ) Roy Burnes ( drs ) Jimmy Rushing & Ethel Ennis ( vocals )
Recorded live at Brussels World Fair, 25-31 May 1958
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra appeared for a complete week at the 1958 Brussel’s World Fair and all the performances on these three CDs were recorded live during that week at the American Pavilion.Apart from “Let’s Dance” ,“Goodbye”, “Bugle Call Rag” and “ Pennies From Heaven” none of the numbers are repeated on these recordings which leads to a varied programme. This band is made up of Goodman regulars and a number of star names. Plus Jimmy Rushing and Ethel Ennis taking care in the vocal department As with other Goodman recordings Benny is the star soloist with other members of the band getting the occasional look in.
The whole of CD One was issued as a single CD a number of years ago on a different label but for a Benny Goodman devotee this would be the most attractive option.
The is a nearly sixteen minute version of “Sing, Sing, Sing” on CD Two but it fails to excite, as the version recorded at the famous Carnegie Hall Concert did on it’s original release but often these things can with the test of time and repeated hearings..
On Disc One “Roll ‘Em” is a satisfying full orchestra tracks with Zoot Sims and Seldon Powell making the most of their solo space swinging hard with smooth exchanges, there is also a constructive trumpet solo.
The quartet numbers on Disc One are notable for Roland Hanna’s splendid contributios particularly on “More Than You Know2 and “Avalon”.
The Gershwin Medley is the quartet as a good selection of tunes and the group makes the most of it with plenty of interesting soloing from ll concerned.
Once again CD Two is a good mix of big band tracks, the Quartet and vocals from Jimmy Rushing and Ethel Ennis. This CD opens with two quartet numbers which finds Benny on top form but it is Roland Hanna who steals the show with his piano work particularly on “Poor Butterfly”.
Zoot Sims has a chance to shine on “Bugle Call Rag” and Seldon Powell gets his chance on “Mean To Me”.
Jimmy Rushing has five numbers on this CD but it is “Harvard Blues” that has the biggest impact with a notable solo from Zoot Sims and Seldon Powell has is chance on “Pennies From Heaven” of course Jimmy Rushing is particularly good form.
Ethel Ennis is allocated a medley of three numbers and she takes the chance to show she is a singer with much to offer.
On the final track on this CD, “Flying Home” Gene Allen on Baritone has a rare chance to display his abilities, but it Zoot Sims again who takes the honours, unfortunately Benny’s clarinet sounds a little shrill on this number.
CD Three is much the same mix as the two previous CDs with vocals by both Jimmy Rushing and Ethel Ennis. These a nice exchange of views between Zoot Sims and Seldon Powell on “Roll ‘em”
There are two Gershwin numbers which are played by a small group, “Soon” and “Who Cares” and on “Soon” there is a superb baritone solo by Gene Allen.
Two things which characterise this CD is there are many more vocals one is a duet with Rushing and Ennis on one number. The second is many announcements which do not feature on the other two CDs which add to the atmosphere.
This release is a must for Goodman fans but there is plenty of interest for the regular big band fan.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Solar 4569965 3 CD Set
Benny Goodman ( clt )Taft Jordan ( tpt ) John Frosk ( tpt ) Emmett Berry ( tpt ) Billy Hodges ( tpt ) Rex Peer ( tmb ) Vernon Brown ( tmb ) Willie Dennis ( tmb ) Zoot Sims ( tnr ) Seldon Powell( tnr ) Ernie Mauro( alto ) Al Block ( alto ) Gene Allen ( bar ) Billy Bauer ( gtr ) Sir Roland Hanna ( pno ) Arvell Shaw ( bass ) Roy Burnes ( drs ) Jimmy Rushing & Ethel Ennis ( vocals )
Recorded live at Brussels World Fair, 25-31 May 1958
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra appeared for a complete week at the 1958 Brussel’s World Fair and all the performances on these three CDs were recorded live during that week at the American Pavilion.Apart from “Let’s Dance” ,“Goodbye”, “Bugle Call Rag” and “ Pennies From Heaven” none of the numbers are repeated on these recordings which leads to a varied programme. This band is made up of Goodman regulars and a number of star names. Plus Jimmy Rushing and Ethel Ennis taking care in the vocal department As with other Goodman recordings Benny is the star soloist with other members of the band getting the occasional look in.
The whole of CD One was issued as a single CD a number of years ago on a different label but for a Benny Goodman devotee this would be the most attractive option.
The is a nearly sixteen minute version of “Sing, Sing, Sing” on CD Two but it fails to excite, as the version recorded at the famous Carnegie Hall Concert did on it’s original release but often these things can with the test of time and repeated hearings..
On Disc One “Roll ‘Em” is a satisfying full orchestra tracks with Zoot Sims and Seldon Powell making the most of their solo space swinging hard with smooth exchanges, there is also a constructive trumpet solo.
The quartet numbers on Disc One are notable for Roland Hanna’s splendid contributios particularly on “More Than You Know2 and “Avalon”.
The Gershwin Medley is the quartet as a good selection of tunes and the group makes the most of it with plenty of interesting soloing from ll concerned.
Once again CD Two is a good mix of big band tracks, the Quartet and vocals from Jimmy Rushing and Ethel Ennis. This CD opens with two quartet numbers which finds Benny on top form but it is Roland Hanna who steals the show with his piano work particularly on “Poor Butterfly”.
Zoot Sims has a chance to shine on “Bugle Call Rag” and Seldon Powell gets his chance on “Mean To Me”.
Jimmy Rushing has five numbers on this CD but it is “Harvard Blues” that has the biggest impact with a notable solo from Zoot Sims and Seldon Powell has is chance on “Pennies From Heaven” of course Jimmy Rushing is particularly good form.
Ethel Ennis is allocated a medley of three numbers and she takes the chance to show she is a singer with much to offer.
On the final track on this CD, “Flying Home” Gene Allen on Baritone has a rare chance to display his abilities, but it Zoot Sims again who takes the honours, unfortunately Benny’s clarinet sounds a little shrill on this number.
CD Three is much the same mix as the two previous CDs with vocals by both Jimmy Rushing and Ethel Ennis. These a nice exchange of views between Zoot Sims and Seldon Powell on “Roll ‘em”
There are two Gershwin numbers which are played by a small group, “Soon” and “Who Cares” and on “Soon” there is a superb baritone solo by Gene Allen.
Two things which characterise this CD is there are many more vocals one is a duet with Rushing and Ennis on one number. The second is many announcements which do not feature on the other two CDs which add to the atmosphere.
This release is a must for Goodman fans but there is plenty of interest for the regular big band fan.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
