Benny Goodman was the first clarinetist that I ever listened to. I was the only person in high school that was listening to Big Band music all the other kids were listening to rock and roll. I have several sets from the Mosaic record company. All of them are first rate. When my catalog came and I saw this offering I jumped at the chance to get it. I wasn't disappointed. Most of the songs are instrumental except for a few that Benny sings on. It seems like this was a totally new orchestra that Benny is leading. Lots of the arrangements are by Eddie Sauter and are very different sounding than the Fletcher Henderson arrangements that were featured by his earlier band.
Benny has many different sideman. This band features musicians like Mel Powell, Cootie Williams, Georgie Auld, Charlie Christian, and Lou McGarity. But the band never really has a steady drummer. Looking at the discography it seems like there is a new drummer ever couple of months. Dave Tough was a superb drummer but he didn't last long with Benny and neither did Big Sid Catlett. Sometimes Lionel Hampton has to pull double duty and play the drum set in addition to the vibrophones.
If you're a fan of the Mosaic products then I highly recommend this set. The booklet features liner notes by Loren Shoenberg and they are worth having by themselves.
