Search - Helen Forrest :: The Complete Helen Forrest with Benny Goodman

Two Of The Greatest Stars Of The Swing Era

Barry McCanna | Normandy, France | 09/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm amazed that this set, which was issued in 2001, hasn't attracted any earlier reviews, because in my opinion this should be indispensable for any devotee of the Swing Era. It spans barely eighteen months, from the very end of 1939 until mid-1941, and during that period Helen Forrest sang on the vast majority of the orchestral recordings.



There is a total of 55 tracks here, and my only minor criticism is that a self-proclaimed complete set should include both issued takes of Lazy River. Against that, a previously rejected take of I Can't Love You Any More is included, as is a late January 1941 recording of Jenny, from Lady In The Dark, on which Benny duets with Helen (which is perhaps the reason why it was not released!). That date raises another question mark though, because it included a Columbia test of an obscure number titled Afraid To Say Hello, which is not included.



Having said which, this is as close to the full works as you're likely to get, and the contrast between Benny's brilliant-toned clarinet and Helen's warm vibrato and laid-back style makes this a set to treasure.



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The Complete Helen Forrest with Benny Goodman

William R. Mcdonald | Long Beach, CA, USA | 02/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Helen Forrest was one of the primer vocalists during the Golden Age of the Big Bands: first with Artie Shaw and then with Benny Goodman after Shaw folded his band in 1939. This collection shows Goodman's band at its best and Helen at her prime. Included are songs that even I, an avid fan of both Goodman and Forrest, don't remember from those days. These songs are some of the best from that era, and Helen sings them as they should be sung. I heartily recommend it."