Benny Goodman Quintet & Orchestra – Happy Session Label: Essential Jazz Classics 2010
This edition presents the complete long unavailable Benny Goodman album Happy Session (Columbia CS8129). It features an all-star version of the Goodman orchestra, including André Previn, Russ Freeman, Pepper Adams, Herb Geller, Leroy Vinnegar, Barney Kessel and Shelly Manne, as well as four quintet tracks. All existing alternate takes for the tunes from this album plus a wonderful version of “Cherokee” from the same sessions have been added as bonus tracks. The alternate take on “The King and Me” appears here on CD for the first time ever.
http://www.jazzmessengers.com/en/7809/benny-goodman/happy-session-quintet-and-orchestra
Recorded after Benny Goodman returned with his 1958 big band from a European tour that included an exuberant stint at the Brussels World Fair, this LP alternates between orchestra performances (the mostly newer compositions include four by a Yugoslavian composer, Bobby Gutesha) and Goodman features with his rhythm section, which co-stars Andre Previn‘s piano. BG dominates this album and is in excellent form. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Track list
01 Happy Session Blues Goodman, Gutesha 5:10
02 You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To Porter 4:29
03 The King And Me Previn 4:53
04 Indian Summer Dubin, Herbert 4:35
05 What A Diff’rence A Day Made Adams, Grever 3:33
06 Batunga Train Goodman, Gutesha 2:55
07 Having A Ball Goodman 7:40
08 Clarinet A La King Sauter 3:28
09 Macedonia Lullaby Goodman, Gutesha 3:52
10 Diga Diga Doo Fields, McHugh 3:35
Bonus Tracks:
11 Happy Session Blues Goodman, Gutesha 5:21
12 The King And Me Previn 4:51
13 What A Diff’rence A Day Made Adams, Grever 3:25
14 Batunga Train Goodman, Gutesha 3:23
15 Macedonia Lullaby Goodman, Gutesha 4:31
16 Diga Diga Doo Fields, McHugh 3:11
17 Cherokee Noble 3:18
Total time: 71:45
Personnel and dates::
BENNY GOODMAN, clarinet on all tracks, plus:
(1) & (11): John Frosk, Ermit V. Perry, Allen Smith, Pete Ventura (tp)
Buster Cooper, Rex Peer, Hale Rood (tb), Herb Geller, Jim Sands (as),
Arthur “Babe” Clarke, Bob Wilber (ts), Pepper Adams (bar), Russ Freeman (p),
Turk Van Lake (g), Milt Hinton (b), Shelly Manne (d).
New York, November 15, 1958.
(2) & (7): Andre Previn (p), Barney Kessel (g), Leroy Vinnegar (b), Frank Capp (d).
Hollywood, September 4, 1958
.
(3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13 & 14): Same personnel as 1 & 11 except George Duvivier (b) replaces Milt Hinton.
New York, November 18, 1958.
(4) & (10): Russ Freeman (p), Turk Van Lake (g), George Duvivier (b), Shelly Manne (d).
New York, November 19, 1958.
(12) (15) & (17): John Frosk, Taft Jordan, Buzz King, Ermit V. Perry (tp),
Eddie Bert, Vernon Brown, Harry DiVito (tb), Skip Galluccio, Ernie Mauro (as),
Dick Hafer, Buddy Tate (ts), Gene Allen (bar), Sir Roland Hanna (p), Chuck Wayne (g),
Henry Grimes (b), Roy Burns (d), Andre Previn (arr).
New York, July 14, 1958.
(16): Urbie Green (tb), Zoot Sims (ts), Russ Freeman (p), Chuck Wayne (g),
Milt Hinton (b), Don Lamond (d), Al Cohn (arr).
New York, January 3, 1959.
More info inside archive! with thanks to Lex.
