Watching Loren's series and they cover China Boy. Toward the end they play the "Story" version which led me to get it off the shelf. I find it odd that there never was a true stereo version released. My mono black and silver label Decca sounds better than any of the subsequent rainbow or MCA rainbow releases. All the Decca versions are "enhanced for" or "simulated" stereo, which we very well know here means mono original + reverb. I find it odd because surely in 1954-55 when the movie was shot they were recording in stereo for the film, no? If so, why no true stereo version? Years later we got Sun Valley Serenade and Orchestra Wives in true stereo on a Viper's Nest CD and it was filmed a decade earlier.
Apparently, no. That despite the same studio's earlier "Glenn Miller Story" getting the stereo soundtrack treatment. (The decade + earlier 20th Century Fox films with the real GMO are another matter.) One of my long-running bits of research was trying to find a true stereo source for the "BG Story" soundtrack numbers. Frankly, the music wasn't inspiring enough to me to track down the original-issue mono LPs - may yet get around to that - but a 1970s copy and various original promo issues are on file here. My last resort and hope was the pair of open-reel "Decca Stereotape" releases. Russ Connor had a set, but at the time we corresponded, his hearing was compromised. Eventually I found one, then the other - and they are reprocessed mono. Too bad.
Amazing. But even were there a true stereo version, the music would have to be inspiring, which I agree, it just ain't.
I believe the less than inspiring music is why Goodman re-did much of it for Capitol. Definitely, better. BG in Hi-Fi, is the best lp he ever did, in my opinion.
In the 1950's he only did 2 lps for Capitol. "The Benny Goodman Story" and "BG in Hi-Fi." "Hello Benny" was a big band lp from 1964. I do think the "BG in Hi-Fi" tops them all. The rhythm section is rock solid with Mel Powell, Geroge Duvivier, Steve Jordan, and Bobby Donaldson and there is the extra added attraction of Ruby Braff's trumpet. I know I've said it before but the "Jumping at the Woodside" is up there with one of the best big band recordings. The ride-out is big band perfection as the band seems to levitate.
I think some 10” LPs were issued by Capitol in the 1950s, like The Goodman Touch (which I have). Discogs indicates that was reissued as a 12” in 1956 with additional tracks.
If you mean recorded specifically for Capitol for LP, I think that's correct. Other vinyl released were compilations of Capitol recordings in the late 40s. And "Hello Benny" was in the 1960s as was "Made in Japan".
Somewhat off topic but if you like the sound of the clarinet (I do) it's worth searching out the DCC Portrait of Pee Wee.
Yes, the majority of the compilation lps and 10 inches are small group recordings. He did some big band recordings, including the Bop band in the late 40s. “Made in Japan”is a 1964 small group.
Hi, Episode 4 of the BG small group recordings is extra special. It features selections from the mostly unreleased 1936 March/April Trio session that John Hammond had. “Liza”, “I’m Coming Virginia” and one of the “ Squeeze Me” takes (didn’t even know there were 2). Melancholy Baby” (not played) is the only released track. It’s on a Phontastic 45 EP, which I still haven’t gotten my hands on nor have I heard! Also, there is a rare trio version of “I Would Do Anything for You” which leads into the Big Band! The episode ends with one of my all time favorite Gene Krupa performances, “Gene’s Blues” from the the Rich and Krupa 1950’s Clef lp. Wow, Krupa is so musical!
The "Hits of Benny Goodman" is a later reissue (may be abridged) of "BG in Hi -Fi." "The Benny Goodman Band" is a collection of 'Capitol 78s from 1944-1947 big band recordings. I have never seen the German Complication and I don't know what is on it. The other Big Band lp that Goodman recorded in the '50s as a 331/3 lp is this "Mr Benny Goodman 'The Benny Goodman Story'":
"Swing Goes On" is a 10 LP series from Germany on the Electrola/EMI label. You can look up the series here which is a compilation from CAPITOL material Swing Goes On! Label | Releases | Discogs Have all 10 volumes
Ah, interesting compilations. Looks like the Goodman pulls mostly from “ Mr Benny Goodman’The Benny Goodman Story’” with some of the 1947 Big Band tracks thrown in. Unfortunately, some of those 47 tracks aren’t on cd, except for on the Claasics label, which has it’s problems!
It’s funny what we deal with isn’t it. Original issues mostly sounding good, reissues in different formats a mixed bag. I’ve done it before with minidisc to cd, needle drops, and they sound JUST LIKE the original source. I just can’t understand how so many reissues, especially on cd, came out sounding like caca. Beave
This tends to be true. When you have a good condition record (whatever speed), and do a simple needledrop to CDR on routine equipment, the CDR often sounds far better than most reissues (including some highly acclaimed reissues) To me, that suggests that it is not digital that is the problem, but the mastering process in many reissues.
Thanks for your Input. I prefer the vinyls but have also a mass of CD's. Its really the music I am interest on. The technical aspects are runner up. With growing age your hearing ability does the rest. ;-]]
Wow! Goodman’s Clarinetitus/That’s a Plenty on Vocalion 15705 just sold on eBay for $192.50. Cough. There must be more Goodman fans out there than I realize. 78 RPM -- Benny Goodman, Vocalion 15705, V Jazz | eBay
In many cases where a higher auction price is achieved, it only took two people that wanted to pay more than a routine price. In other cases, especially when you might win an auction, you may realize that you are the only person that would pay that much for the item. Thus, is it worth that much? No, not to anyone else.
