BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1947, Vol. 2 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1407 (2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Benny Goodman's 31st volume in the Classics Chronological Series documents his stylistically diverse adventures as a Capitol recording artist with 22 titles resulting from eight different sessions that took place in New York and Los Angeles between August 11 and November 25, 1947. Jazz, like the careers of those who perform it, has never evolved in a precise and linear manner; while during this period Goodman was certainly incorporating progressive bop elements into his repertoire, he also continued his lifelong involvement with swing tropes and old-time melodies. "Nagasaki" and "Varsity Drag" are examples of old material interpreted with breathtaking modernity. The three sextet sessions reissued here feature xylo/vibraphonist Red Norvo and pianist Mel Powell. Guitarist Al Hendrickson, who specialized in pleasantly laid-back romantic vocals, is heard with both the sextet and the big band. On September 12, Goodman sat in with the Paul Weston orchestra for one of Irving Berlin's ultra-patriotic ditties entitled "The Freedom Train." This flag-waver, sung by Johnny Mercer, Peggy Lee, Margaret Whiting and a cheery vocal group known as the Pied Pipers, contains a set of lyrics that could easily have been misinterpreted by the House Un-American Activities Committee: "You can shout your anger from a steeple, you can shoot the system full of holes." (Try that one on J. Edgar Hoover.) Tracks 12 through 21 scale the action down to an intimate trio involving pianist Teddy Wilson and longtime Jimmie Lunceford drummer Jimmy Crawford. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :

BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1947-1948 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1418 (2006) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The magnitude of Benny Goodman's recorded legacy becomes apparent when one reflects upon the fact that this is Volume 32 in the Classics reissue label's comprehensive chronology of his complete works. Aware that the second AFM recording ban would soon paralyze commercial studio activity in the U.S., Goodman waxed quite a number of sides during December 1947 with his sextet, septet and orchestra. Three individuals who really shone during this period were vibraphonist Red Norvo, vocalist Peggy Lee, who had swiftly matured into a sultry, expressive interpreter of romantic songs, and trumpeter Jake "Vernon" Porter who added an extra dimension to Goodman's ensembles by growling through a mute like Herman Autrey or Cootie Williams. The sextet sessions of December 9 and 11 resulted in several superb instrumentals including the old Dixieland standard "That's a Plenty," Rodgers & Hart's "You Took Advantage of Me" and Fats Waller's "Henderson Stomp," here arranged by Fletcher Henderson himself. Henderson's big-band arrangement of Kid Ory's "Muskrat Ramble" yielded spectacular results; how frustrating it must have been for Goodman to know that within days he would be officially prevented from continuing this wonderful spell of creative production. Capitol chose not to issue "The Record Ban Blues," part of a subgenre of protest songs devised and recorded by artists who were disgruntled with the policies of AFM president James C. Petrillo. Goodman wasn't able to record in a studio under his own name again until August 20, 1948, when he cut a series of government-sponsored V-Discs with a stunningly cool and modern ensemble that included tenor saxophonist Wardell Gray and pianist, arranger and composer Mary Lou Williams. Four out of six sides were rejected; only "Benny's Bop" and "There's a Small Hotel" were deemed suitable for circulation among armed forces personnel. Anybody who loves Wardell Gray should be sure and latch on to the beautiful recordings that he made during the summer of 1948 with the Benny Goodman Sextet. arwulf arwulf

Tracklist :