[Dixielandjazz] Goodman - O'Day Review - jersey Jazz

[Robert Ringwald]

Review by Joe Lang, Jersey Jazz



"Legends Live: Benny Goodman Orchestra Feat. Anita O'Day" (Jazzhaus – 10174) is taken
from a performance on October 15, 1959 in Freiberg, Germany.  Anita O'Day claimed
in her biography, "High Times, Hard Times," that Benny Goodman was not happy with
the enthusiastic reception that she received on this European tour with a mid-sized
Goodman band, and that he had, by the end if the tour, cut back her part of the program
to just a few songs.  On this occasion, that was not the case.  During this concert,
she has two duets with Goodman on "Let Me Off Uptown" and "Gotta be This or That,"
and is front and center on "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Come Rain or Come Shine," as well
as performing a medley of "But Not for Me," "Four Brothers" and "Blues."  The rest
of the program features the band that backed O'Day on her vocals, one that included
Goodman on clarinet, Jack Sheldon on trumpet, Bill Harris on trombone, Flip Phillips
on tenor sax, Jerry Dodgion on flute, Red Norvo on vibes, Russ Freeman on piano,
Jimmy Wyble on guitar, Red Wootton on bass and John Markham on drums.  The operative
word for this gathering is swing, and this is a group that knew how to do that.
The playing is terrific, as is the sound.  This is a welcome addition to my collection,
and will be to yours.  (
www.jazzhaus-label.com



--Bob Ringwald
www.ringwald.com