THE BENNY GOODMAN STORY - Complete Motion Picture Soundtrack
Essential Jazz Classics EJC55681
Tracks 1 to 9, 11 to 12 & 17 to 21
Benny Goodman & hhis Orchestra with Buck Clayton ( tpt ) Harry James ( tpt ) on tracks 20 to 22 only Conrad Gozzo ( tpt ) John Best ( tpt ) Irving Goodman ( tpt ) Mannie Klein ( tpt ) Murray McEachern ( tmb ) Urbie Green ( tmb ) Jimmy Priddy ( tmb ) Hymie Schertzer ( alto ) Blake Reynoldss ( alto ) Babe Russin ( tnr ) Stan Getz ( tnr ) Lionel Hampton ( vibes ) Allen Reuss ( gtr ) Teddy Wilson ( pno ) George Duvivier ( bass ) Gene Krupa ( drs ) Martha Tilton ( vocals ) on tracks 8 & 17 only
Track 10 only
Benny Goodman Octet with Benny Goodman ( clt ) Buck Clayton ( tpt ) Urbie Green ( tmb ) Stan Getz ( tnr ) Allen Reuss ( gtr ) Teddy Wilson ( pno ) George Duvivier ( bass ) Gene Krupa ( drs )
Tracks 13 & 14
The Benny Goodman Trio with Benny Goodman ( clt )Teddy Wilson ( pno ) Gene Krupa ( drs )
Tracks 15 & 16
The Benny Goodman Quartet with Benny Goodman ( clt ) Lionel Hampton ( vibes ) Teddy Wilson
( pno ) Gene Krupa ( drs )
All tracks recorded in Hollywood, August 1955
The film “The Benny Goodman Story” was produced like the “Glenn Miller Story” and “The Five Pennies” not with the jazz lover in mind but with an eye to the general filmgoer, but in the case of the “Benny Goodman Story” it contained some fine music.
The recording quality from the soundtrack is particularly good and apart from a number of regular band personnel and past members of the band a number of star names are included.
As you would expect all the numbers on the album are old favourites from the bands regular library but they are all played with a freshness that belies their multiple use and number of recordings that are available by the regular band. There are two numbers which feature one of the bands longtime vocalists Martha tilton and a number of smaller group numbers.
The highlight of the film and this soundtrack release is “Slipped Disc” by the Octet which features a stunning solo by one of the star guests the tenor saxophone player Stan Getz.
As with all releases by the Benny Goodman Orchestra the principal soloist is the leader himself Benny Goodman but he can always be relied on to turn in a good solo and on this recording he is at the top of his form.
The tracks by the Trio and Quartet feature the original personnel and are regular numbers from the book, The Trio take on “Memories of You” and China Boy” whilst the Quartet feature “Moonglow” and “Avalon”. Teddy Wilson’s piano solo on “Memories of You” is a beauty which highlights his subtle swing and his good taste. Lionel Hampton’s extended solo on “Moonglow” just builds and builds until it reaches a fitting climax.
On the full orchestra tracks there is an immaculate trombone solo by Urbie Green on “It’s Been So Long” which shines like beacon.
“Jersey Bounce” motors on nicely and is distinguished by some outstanding tenor by Stan Getz.
Vocalist Martha Tilton retains her ability to make the most of a good song on “You Turned the Tables on Me” and “And The Angels Sing”.
On the Octet number “Slipped Disc” the outstanding solo by Stan Getz is followed by Benny who sounds inspired his solo and turns in one of his best solos and contributions by Urbie Green and Buck Clayton are not to be dismissed.
As this is the first release on CD of these tracks it should be snapped up by Goodman fand any lovers of big band music.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Essential Jazz Classics EJC55681
Tracks 1 to 9, 11 to 12 & 17 to 21
Benny Goodman & hhis Orchestra with Buck Clayton ( tpt ) Harry James ( tpt ) on tracks 20 to 22 only Conrad Gozzo ( tpt ) John Best ( tpt ) Irving Goodman ( tpt ) Mannie Klein ( tpt ) Murray McEachern ( tmb ) Urbie Green ( tmb ) Jimmy Priddy ( tmb ) Hymie Schertzer ( alto ) Blake Reynoldss ( alto ) Babe Russin ( tnr ) Stan Getz ( tnr ) Lionel Hampton ( vibes ) Allen Reuss ( gtr ) Teddy Wilson ( pno ) George Duvivier ( bass ) Gene Krupa ( drs ) Martha Tilton ( vocals ) on tracks 8 & 17 only
Track 10 only
Benny Goodman Octet with Benny Goodman ( clt ) Buck Clayton ( tpt ) Urbie Green ( tmb ) Stan Getz ( tnr ) Allen Reuss ( gtr ) Teddy Wilson ( pno ) George Duvivier ( bass ) Gene Krupa ( drs )
Tracks 13 & 14
The Benny Goodman Trio with Benny Goodman ( clt )Teddy Wilson ( pno ) Gene Krupa ( drs )
Tracks 15 & 16
The Benny Goodman Quartet with Benny Goodman ( clt ) Lionel Hampton ( vibes ) Teddy Wilson
( pno ) Gene Krupa ( drs )
All tracks recorded in Hollywood, August 1955
The film “The Benny Goodman Story” was produced like the “Glenn Miller Story” and “The Five Pennies” not with the jazz lover in mind but with an eye to the general filmgoer, but in the case of the “Benny Goodman Story” it contained some fine music.
The recording quality from the soundtrack is particularly good and apart from a number of regular band personnel and past members of the band a number of star names are included.
As you would expect all the numbers on the album are old favourites from the bands regular library but they are all played with a freshness that belies their multiple use and number of recordings that are available by the regular band. There are two numbers which feature one of the bands longtime vocalists Martha tilton and a number of smaller group numbers.
The highlight of the film and this soundtrack release is “Slipped Disc” by the Octet which features a stunning solo by one of the star guests the tenor saxophone player Stan Getz.
As with all releases by the Benny Goodman Orchestra the principal soloist is the leader himself Benny Goodman but he can always be relied on to turn in a good solo and on this recording he is at the top of his form.
The tracks by the Trio and Quartet feature the original personnel and are regular numbers from the book, The Trio take on “Memories of You” and China Boy” whilst the Quartet feature “Moonglow” and “Avalon”. Teddy Wilson’s piano solo on “Memories of You” is a beauty which highlights his subtle swing and his good taste. Lionel Hampton’s extended solo on “Moonglow” just builds and builds until it reaches a fitting climax.
On the full orchestra tracks there is an immaculate trombone solo by Urbie Green on “It’s Been So Long” which shines like beacon.
“Jersey Bounce” motors on nicely and is distinguished by some outstanding tenor by Stan Getz.
Vocalist Martha Tilton retains her ability to make the most of a good song on “You Turned the Tables on Me” and “And The Angels Sing”.
On the Octet number “Slipped Disc” the outstanding solo by Stan Getz is followed by Benny who sounds inspired his solo and turns in one of his best solos and contributions by Urbie Green and Buck Clayton are not to be dismissed.
As this is the first release on CD of these tracks it should be snapped up by Goodman fand any lovers of big band music.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
