What are you listening to? May 2020

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Benny Goodman - Yale Archives Vol. 6: Live At The Rainbow Grill (rec. 1966-67, comp. 1991)

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In addition to blowing a mean clarinet, Benny turned out to be a meticulous record keeper. On his death, he donated 129 boxes worth of material dating back to 1910 to Yale University, including:

I. Music.
II. Correspondence.
III. Photographs.
IV. Scrapbooks.
V. Programs and Publicity.
VI. Scripts, Interviews, and Articles.
VII. Financial and Legal.
VIII. Awards, Honors, and Academic Regalia.
IX. Miscellaneous.

Unlike most of these academic collections, the music in this one has been extensively licensed for public sale. Volume 6 of Jazz Heritage's comprehensive series consists of 2 landmark shows from the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center that would otherwise be lost to history. By 1967, Goodman had nothing more to prove and just performed near home for the fun of it. He had his pick of musicians and came up with two topnotch groups. The first included Zoot Sims and Joe Newman; the second,. "Doc" Cheatham and Herbie Hancock. Some of Benny's live shows from the late 50's on 60's seem a bit formulaic, running through the hits for adoring crowds all over the world. These two professionally recorded shows have a much more relaxed feel. The all star bands swing effortlessly and the soloists are given plenty of time to stretch out.

Not available on Spotify or by download. :mad: But well worth grabbing on CD while you can.

:5.0: on the Sam-O-Meter. Autumnal Benny at his best.
This.
Arrived.
Today.
So.
This.
 
Well, this is very weirdo. And I say this as someone who likes weird music.
I accept your characterization of yourself.

Yes, it is weird. When I listened to the first disc, I was sitting on the couch and fell into a blissed-out state.

I believe that others might call it a nap.

That said, I liked both the music and the nap.

I think the one RYM review solidly hit the differences between the discs, a la 1970 and 1974.

P. S. Also, who can argue with the pictures?
 
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