Solid!

Benny Goodman

Sing, Sing, Sing

BMG/RCA

Sing, Sing, Sing covers the early Benny Goodman years, from the birth of the swing era in 1935 through the first three years of its heyday. With such memorable tunes as the ''King Porter Stomp,'' ''Goody Goody,'' and ''Sometimes I'm Happy'' the CD features such famous sidemen as Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Harry James, Fletcher Henderson, Bunny Berigan, Ziggy Elman, and Jess Stacy. It is sure to please the most avid Benny Goodman fan and for the uninitiated serve as a good introduction to the sound that swept the nation in the mid-1930s.

Though Goodman's orchestra was one of the best musically-stocked bands in the business it is also remembered for its vocalists. Singers included in this collection are Martha Tilton, Helen Ward, Jimmy Rushing, Joe Harris, and Ella Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald's selection, ''Goodnight My Love,'' was one of only three songs the famous jazz singer recorded with Goodman during that period. She had been brought in to substitute for Ward, who was on leave from the band. Fitzgerald, however, was signed to Decca while Goodman was with Bluebird. Though the song was initially released it was recalled shortly thereafter and re-recorded with Frances Hunt on vocals. Legal issues kept the Fitzgerald version from being released until the 1960s. Original copies are valuable collectors' items, and it is now recognized as one of the finest recordings of the swing era. Other famous numbers on the CD include the title song and the band's theme, ''Goodbye.''

A great collection of Benny Goodman songs for everyone.

Track Listing

• 1. King Porter Stomp
• 2. Sometimes I'm Happy
• 3. Basin Street Blues
• 4. If I Could Be with You
• 5. Goody Goody
• 6. Christopher Columbus
• 7. Sing Me a Swing Song
• 8. (I Would Do) Anything for You
• 9. These Foolish Things Remind Me of You
• 10. Down South Camp Meeting
• 11. Bugle Call Rag
• 12. Goodnight My Love
• 13. He Ain't Got Rhythm
• 14. I Want to Be Happy
• 15. Roll 'Em
• 16. Thanks for the Memory
• 17. Don't Be That Way
• 18. One O'Clock Jump
• 19. Ti-Pi-Tin
• 20. Sing, Sing, Sing
• 21. Goodbye