PEGGY LEE WITH THE BENNY GOODMAN ORCHESTRA - Studio Recordings plus selected radio broadcasts 1941 to 1947
Acrobat ADDCD3216
2 CD Set
CD One
Tracks 1 to 22
CD Two
Tracks 1 to 16
Peggy Lee ( vocals ) with the Benny Goodman Orchestra
Recorded Chcago, New York & Hollywood between 15 August 1941
& 2 December 1947
CD Two
Tracks 17 to 22
Peggy Lee ( vocals ) with the Benny Goodman Orchestra
Radio Broadcasts at various locations recorded between4 October 1941 & 19 October 1942
Contained on these two CDs are the complete recordings made by Peggy Lee with the Benny Goodman Orchestra including alternative takes and un-issued material plus a selected number of radio broadcasts from the same period.
It is clear from these recordings that Peggy Lee had the talent to be much more than a big band singer, it is the basic requirement of a successful solo singer to learn their trade by having to sing a variety of songs which is obligatory as a big band singer. As a solo singer Peggy Lee was able to cover all kinds of material and was able to handle less than perfect songs making them sound better.
Peggy Lee was that her period with Benny Goodman happened to coincide with one of Goodman’s most talented and was lucky to have Mel Powell as pianist and arranger.
There is plenty of outstanding Goodman clarinet on display as well os solos from Vido Musso, the trombone section and Mel Powell’s piano playing which is immaculate throughout.
On CD One there are three examples of Peggy Lee with the Goodman Sextet, there indications on “Where Or When” as to her approach to slow ballads in her later solo career. “Sunny Side Of The Street” is one of the best tracks on the album with Goodman’s clarinet taking the honours although Peggy Lee’s vocal is not far behind.
It is ironic that Peggy Lee’s first recorded vocal with the band, “Elmer’s Tune” would be forever associated with his rival leader Glenn Miller.
Unfortunately CD Two does not have particularly good songs for Peggy Lee but that is one of the areas where life can be difficult for a big band singer and goes with the job.
The radio broadcasts are fillers and the sound quality is below par, but have their place as historical documents.
This is must for collectors of Peggy Lee recordings but there is plenty for the occasional listener to admire.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Acrobat ADDCD3216
2 CD Set
CD One
Tracks 1 to 22
CD Two
Tracks 1 to 16
Peggy Lee ( vocals ) with the Benny Goodman Orchestra
Recorded Chcago, New York & Hollywood between 15 August 1941
& 2 December 1947
CD Two
Tracks 17 to 22
Peggy Lee ( vocals ) with the Benny Goodman Orchestra
Radio Broadcasts at various locations recorded between4 October 1941 & 19 October 1942
Contained on these two CDs are the complete recordings made by Peggy Lee with the Benny Goodman Orchestra including alternative takes and un-issued material plus a selected number of radio broadcasts from the same period.
It is clear from these recordings that Peggy Lee had the talent to be much more than a big band singer, it is the basic requirement of a successful solo singer to learn their trade by having to sing a variety of songs which is obligatory as a big band singer. As a solo singer Peggy Lee was able to cover all kinds of material and was able to handle less than perfect songs making them sound better.
Peggy Lee was that her period with Benny Goodman happened to coincide with one of Goodman’s most talented and was lucky to have Mel Powell as pianist and arranger.
There is plenty of outstanding Goodman clarinet on display as well os solos from Vido Musso, the trombone section and Mel Powell’s piano playing which is immaculate throughout.
On CD One there are three examples of Peggy Lee with the Goodman Sextet, there indications on “Where Or When” as to her approach to slow ballads in her later solo career. “Sunny Side Of The Street” is one of the best tracks on the album with Goodman’s clarinet taking the honours although Peggy Lee’s vocal is not far behind.
It is ironic that Peggy Lee’s first recorded vocal with the band, “Elmer’s Tune” would be forever associated with his rival leader Glenn Miller.
Unfortunately CD Two does not have particularly good songs for Peggy Lee but that is one of the areas where life can be difficult for a big band singer and goes with the job.
The radio broadcasts are fillers and the sound quality is below par, but have their place as historical documents.
This is must for collectors of Peggy Lee recordings but there is plenty for the occasional listener to admire.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
