Search - Benny Goodman :: Complete Capitol Trios

Benny Goodman Small Groups - Part 2

William Faust | Columbus, Ohio | 06/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We take Benny Goodman for granted. He's forever carved in our collective conscience as a heavyweight big band leader, Carnegie Hall concert innovator, color barrier breaker etc. All well and good. But he was a tremendous virtuoso clarinetist and I think we sometimes forget that. This collection of late 40's/mid 50's trios with Teddy Wilson, Jimmy Rowles, or Mel Powell on piano and a revolving set of brush men showcases, as the original small group recordings did earlier, that Goodman had an inexhaustable sense of invention and creativity when it comes to playing jazz standards "all the livelong day". Not to mention flawless technique, endurance and range. You'll wear it out."

How Good(manesque) is this?

Bruce Kendall | Southern Pines, NC | 04/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is a must have. I don't care if it's "an essential" on anyone's list, it's one on mine. The cuts are all extraordinarily great. The band members are all here, as far as "must listens" are concerned. The two versions of "I'll Never Dream of You," and the cut of "I'll Never Be the Same" are worth buying the CD in the first place. If ever there were a musician who made a huge impression wherever he set his stompin foot down on a stage, anytime, anywhere, Benny would be my candidate. He had it all. Melody, Talent, Ear

for a chord...ability to attract other talent.



There are musicians for certain eras. Mr Goodman might go down as the historical mystical minnesinger of his. ThIs CD would certainly lend that particular moniker credence!



BEK"

Ordinary but attractive

Tomohiko Suzuki | Maebashi, Gunma Japan | 01/05/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The paformances in this album are ,of course,not the acme of Benny's recordings.I think that they are good paformances indeed,but never have the thrill and tention which you would hear in 1935-1938 paformances of Benny. But I recomend you to listen this album for these three pianists,Teddy Wilson,Jimmy Rowles and Mel Powell--especially Jimmy Rowles's piano-play.Jimmy's play in this album is a sort of traditional swing style piano compared with his play in later years.Compared with the other pianists in this album,Jimmy's left hand(bass-line figure) is less active, but has a good-taste with more delicasy that leads to the musical effects containing moderate relaxation and tension simultaniously.As to Benny,his clarinet tone is more mellow than that of 1930's,and matchs better with his trio format without bass-violin.Anyway,enjoy the tactful skills and tasteful music of these traditional swing pianists with BG."