Search - Benny Goodman :: Complete Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall Concert 1938

SUPERB REMASTERING OF MILESTONE JAZZ CONCERT

A. POLLOCK | PLYMOUTH, DEVON United Kingdom | 01/24/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Amongst celebrated dates which exist in popular music, 16th January 1938 denotes the day the Benny Goodman Orchestra played the rarified environs of New York's Carnegie Hall - previously designated as the dignified home of classical music. Initially conceived as a publicity stunt to enhance Goodman's increasing popularity, this was the very first time a jazz ensemble had ever played this venue and despite initial coolness towards the event, the sell-out performance left no doubt that swing dance bands provided the latest craze which could no longer be ignored.



Fortunately, the Concert was recorded but in comparison with today's technology the methods and equipment used at the time were relatively crude. The outcome was acceptable but the acetates were filed away and not rediscovered until 1950 when their transfer to vinyl resulted in a million-plus selling album-set. The back-up aluminium masters were also lost for decades but when located in 1998, they formed the basis for a CD set released by Sony the following year. Unfortunately the re-mastering failed to filter out numerous surface imperfections, clicks and hiss with the overall shrill sound lacking depth, much to the disappointment of many buyers who were quick at making their views known concerning such an outcome which could only be regarded as a botched job. Subsequently, other record companies released the Concert with attempts using ongoing developments in technology enabling a degree of improved sound. However, this new Jasmine release has succeeded in both cleanly removing annoying defects and managing to furnish an overall warmer sound without compromising the music, the excitement and ambiance of the occasion and venue.



It's now possible to enjoy interludes by Benny's trio and quartet as well as the full orchestra with the lengthy version of HONEYSUCKLE ROSE played as a jam session and starring such luminaries as Lester Young, Buck Clayton, Count Basie, Harry James and Johnny Hodges. That old Goodman favourite, AVALON brings vibraphonist Lionel Hampton to the fore and other stellar names involved include Ziggy Elman, Teddy Wilson and Bobby Hackett. Supplying necessary glamour, vocalist Martha Tilton, handles LOCH LOMOND and BEI MIR BIST DU SCHON with great style. Of course the highlight is SING, SING, SING, with Jess Stacey's spontaneous piano interlude equaled by typical star drumming from Gene Krupa with his tom-tom rhythms stirring up enthusiasm of the highest order. Carnegie Hall would henceforth open its doors and embrace performances by dance bands, jazz instrumentalists and popular vocalists. This finely-tuned re-mastered recording will ensure this event continues to be cherished as a jazz milestone.

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A forgettable, but forgivable attempt

Paul C. Bryan | 05/02/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The public reception to the 1999 Columbia Masterworks release from the newly uncovered masters of the 1938 Carnegie Hall concert was mixed: some appreciated the improved depth of sound while others dismissed it because of the significant increase in surface noise when compared to the original 1950 Columbia release.



So, when Jasmine issued this release -- an attempt to gain the benefits of the masters uncovered in 1998 without the surface noise -- I was intrigued. Could we have a release that retained most of the added depth of sound provided from the uncovered aluminum masters, but successfully eliminate the pops and scratches?



Unfortunately, the answer is no. The subtleties, the nuances of performance that the Columbia 1999 release reveals is lost from the noise reduction technology that was applied, leaving me, the listener feeling distant and disconnected from the performance.



I can hardly blame Jasmine's attempt; there was clearly demand for a less scratchy version of the remastered release, but in my opinion, the sacrifice made to reduce the surface noise is just too great.



If you're not able to put up with the scratches and pops from a recording made in 1938, then this might be a good compromise. If you want to get as close as you can to the experience of being right there in Carnegie Hall, you'll instead want the Columbia Masterworks version."

THE classic swing era concert

Loek Hopstaken | Amsterdam, The Netherlands | 03/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Much has been written about Benny Goodman's Carnegie Hall 1938 concert. Very little about this brilliant edition, and its masterful sound restoration by Bjorn Almstedt. At last this classic swing era concert sounds like the time when the LP came out: a full, warm, authentic sound, far from the horrible CD edition that has been on the market for many years. Make sure you get this version: it's worth every cent, you'll love playing it again and again, and marvel at the likes of Goodman and his many great associates: Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton, Jess Stacy, and a host of swing and jazz legends. Among them Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney and Cootie Williams, three immortal Ellingtonians, who play 'Blue Reverie'. When I heard this piece for the first time, in 1967, I instantly became a fan of the music of Duke Ellington. That's 40 years ago ...

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