The Complete RCA Victor Small Group Recordings cover

The Complete RCA Victor Small Group Recordings

Benny Goodman · 1997

209 min · 67 tracks · jazz

A vibrant collection of jazz standards infused with swinging rhythms and intricate improvisation, showcasing Goodman's virtuosic clarinet.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    After You've Gone (take 1) Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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    Stompin' at the Savoy (take 1) — This track epitomizes the big band sound with its lively tempo and intricate arrangements, showcasing Goodman's skillful clarinet playing alongside a tight ensemble.
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    Body and Soul (take 2) — Goodman's interpretation of this timeless standard reveals his ability to convey deep emotion through improvisation, setting a benchmark for future jazz musicians.
  • →
    Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen, Part 1 (take 2) — This track highlights the fusion of Jewish musical elements with swing, reflecting Goodman's heritage while demonstrating his innovative approach to popular music.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • joyful improvisation that engages
  • short bursts of melodic delight
  • vibrant energy for social gatherings
  • nostalgic charm in every note
  • playful rhythms inviting movement

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer lengthy, cohesive narratives
  • seek modern production techniques

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Critical Peak — Documents Goodman's innovative contributions to jazz, showcasing his small group recordings.
Themes
King of Swing· Savoy ballroom nights· Jewish heritage in jazz
Career context
Released in 1997, this compilation captures Benny Goodman's small group recordings from the late 1930s and early 1940s, a period when he was solidifying his status as the 'King of Swing.' This album came two years before his death, offering a comprehensive retrospective that highlights the breadth of his influence on jazz music.
Stylistic neighbors
Glenn Miller· Count Basie· Tommy Dorsey
New to Benny Goodman? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • I Cried for You (Now It's Your Turn to Cry Over Me) (take 1)

    The shift from a reflective melody to an upbeat tempo creates a compelling contrast, showcasing emotional depth within playful instrumentation.

    This juxtaposition illustrates Goodman's mastery in combining contrasting emotions within a single performance, enhancing the listener's engagement.

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 After You've Gone (take 1) Start here 2:47
  • 2 After You've Gone (take 2) 2:47
  • 3 Body and Soul (take 1) 3:29
  • 4 Body and Soul (take 2) 3:24
  • 5 Who? 3:13
  • 6 Someday, Sweetheart 2:48
  • 7 China Boy 2:32
  • 8 More Than You Know 3:14
  • 9 All My Life 3:13
  • 10 Oh, Lady Be Good 3:01
  • 11 Nobody's Sweetheart 2:46
  • 12 Too Good to Be True 3:30
  • 13 Moonglow (take 1) 3:24
  • 14 Moonglow (take 2) 3:12
  • 15 Dinah 2:41
  • 16 Exactly Like You 3:18
  • 17 Vibraphone Blues 3:22
  • 18 Sweet Sue - Just You (take 1) 3:18
  • 19 Sweet Sue - Just You (take 2) 3:26
  • 20 My Melancholy Baby 3:25
  • 21 Tiger Rag (take 1) 2:59

Disc 2

  • 1 Stompin' at the Savoy (take 1) 3:19
  • 2 Stompin' at the Savoy (take 2) 2:49
  • 3 Whispering 3:22
  • 4 Tiger Rag (take 2) 3:23
  • 5 Tiger Rag (take 3) 3:20
  • 6 Ida! Sweet as Apple Cider 3:47
  • 7 Tea for Two 3:07
  • 8 Runnin' Wild 2:38
  • 9 Avalon (take 1) 2:52
  • 10 Avalon (take 2) 2:46
  • 11 Handful of Keys (take 1) 2:22
  • 12 Handful of Keys (take 2) 2:28
  • 13 The Man I Love 3:28
  • 14 Smiles 3:01
  • 15 Liza (All the Clouds 'll Roll Away) 3:24
  • 16 Where or When 3:24
  • 17 Silhouetted in the Moonlight 2:57
  • 18 Vieni, Vieni, Vieni (take 1) 2:53
  • 19 Vieni, Vieni, Vieni (take 2) 2:51
  • 20 I'm a Ding Dong Daddy (From Dumas) (take 1) 2:44
  • 21 I'm a Ding Dong Daddy (From Dumas) (take 2) 2:41
  • 22 Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen, Part 1 (take 2) 3:22
  • 23 Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen, Part 1 (take 1) 3:26
  • 24 Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen, Part 2 (take 1) 3:23

Disc 3

  • 1 Sweet Lorraine 3:51
  • 2 The Blues in Your Flat (take 1) 2:34
  • 3 The Blues in Your Flat (take 2) 2:33
  • 4 The Blues in My Flat 3:25
  • 5 Sugar (That Sugar Baby of Mine) (take 1) 3:49
  • 6 Sugar (take 2) 3:34
  • 7 Dizzy Spells 3:18
  • 8 Opus 1/2 3:23
  • 9 I Must Have That Man 3:24
  • 10 Sweet Georgia Brown 3:06
  • 11 'S Wonderful (take 1) 3:25
  • 12 'S Wonderful (take 2) 3:28
  • 13 Pick-A-Rib, Part 1 (take 1) 2:55
  • 14 Pick-A-Rib, Part 2 (take 1) 2:56
  • 15 Pick-A-Rib, Part 1 (take 2) 2:58
  • 16 Pick-A-Rib, Part 2 (take 2) 2:08
  • 17 I Cried for You (Now It's Your Turn to Cry Over Me) (take 1) 3:18
  • 18 I Cried for You (take 2) 3:22
  • 19 I Know That You Know (take 1) 3:01
  • 20 I Know That You Know (take 2) 3:03
  • 21 Opus 3/4 (take 1) 2:55
  • 22 Opus 3/4 (take 2) 2:59

What to play next

Benny Goodman Trio & Quartet 1935/1938
Listen next

Benny Goodman Trio & Quartet 1935/1938

1998

Continues the small group jazz vibe with a focus on intimate performances.
The Benny Goodman Sextet Featuring Charlie Christian: 1939–1941
Go back to

The Benny Goodman Sextet Featuring Charlie Christian: 1939–1941

1989

Sets the stage for Goodman's small group explorations with earlier works.
Full Benny Goodman discography Where to start with Benny Goodman Artists like Benny Goodman
big band music jazz swing

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

The Atomic Mr. Basie

The Atomic Mr. Basie

Count Basie

Shares a similar swing feel with intricate arrangements, highlighting the big band sound from the same period.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata