back 
|
|
|
Discovery Records
specialist music - mail order |
|
Here, for the first time on CD, 61 minutes (20 tunes) with the Benny Carter Orchestra; radio broadcasts from between 1939 and 1946 recorded both at a ballroom and in the studio in Los Angeles, and at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. The repertoire consists of popular tunes of the day as well as Benny Carter originals. Besides writing many of the tunes, arranging and conducting the orchestra, Carter is featured soloist on alto sax, trumpet and clarinet. Carter’s big band arrangements feature distinct background riffs that establish a mood and a solid launching pad for the soloists.
The sound quality of the rare radio broadcasts on this CD has been greatly improved anThis CD consists of 24 numbers recorded during rehearsal in New York by the Woody Herman Orchestra for broadcasts on CBS Old Gold Cigarettes summer radio shows in 1944. The band had just undergone signifcant personel changes, marking the arrival of Pete & Conte Candoli on trumpets, Bill Harris on trombone, Flip Phillips on tenor sax and an exciting new rhythm group consisting of Ralph Burns on piano, Billy Baur on guitar, Chubby Jackson on bass and Dave Tough on drums. This renovated Woody Herman orchestra became known as “The First Herd.” The repertoire consists of many Woody Herman standards, some new tunes and popular favorites. Included are many great arrangements by Neal Hefti and Ralph Burns. The music on these rehearsal sessions reveals the Woody Herman Orchestra well on their way to a peak of musical artistry and public acclaim which they would never again attaind restored. Although this music was written and performed sixty years ago, it still sounds fresh today, thanks to Benny Carter’s unique creativity as composer. The music swings like mad, and the listener can imagine the dancers enjoying themselves on the ballroom floor while Benny Carter’s Orchestra performed this music.
Benny Carter, as soloist, is the star of the show, displaying exquisite, yet often unpredictable phrasing, and constant musical inventiveness. |
|
Discovery catalogue available for
Benny Carter / Orchestra
|
The radio years 1939-1946
|
|
