All the Cats Join In, Vol. 3

Read About This Recording

In 1935, Benny Goodman's band launched the Swing Era by becoming a sensation when they played at Los Angeles' Palomar Ballroom. Goodman, one of the top clarinetists of all time, had first gained notice in the jazz world in 1926 when, as a 16-year-old, he was one of the major soloists with Ben Pollack's orchestra. After having stints with Pollack and Red Nichols, Goodman became a very busy studio musician, riding out the worst years of the Depression playing anonymously in a countless number of studio and radio orchestras. Although it was a lucrative life, he became bored with the music and longed to lead his own jazz big band.

After a period of struggle, in 1935 he hit pay dirt, becoming a household name and gaining the title of "The King of Swing®." For the Victor label during 1935-39, he recorded one famous record after another. However, some of his most interesting material was made for Columbia during 1939-46, including the music that is featured here.

All the Cats Join In features some of the highpoints of Goodman's 1941-42 and 1945 big bands. While the turnover in Goodman's orchestra increased greatly during World War II and some of his sidemen were obscure at the time (including the young tenorman Stan Getz who solos on "Rattle and Roll"), the musicianship remained high. The Eddie Sauterand Mel Powell arrangements always brought out the best in the clarinetist including on "Six Flats Unfurnished," "Why Don't You Do Right" (Peggy Lee's first major hit), "Mission to Moscow," "Clarinade" and an extended "Oh, Baby."

This CD shows that there was much more to the King of Swing's® legacy than "Stompin' At the Savoy" and "Sing, Sing, Sing."

—Scott Yanow

Contents

Not Mine; The Darktown Strutters' Ball; You're Easy to Dance With; Six Flats Unfurnished; Why Don't You Do Right?; After You've Gone; Mission to Moscow; Clarinade; Fascinating Rhythm; Lucky (You're Right, I'm Wrong); Rattle and Roll; Swing Angel; All the Cats Join In; Oh, Baby!; Fly-By-Night; Put That Kiss Back Where You Found It.

Benny Goodman, Clarinet/Leader/Vocals; Jimmy Maxwell, Al Davis, Bernie Privin, John Napton, Lawrence Stearns, Tony Faso, Vince Badale, Al Cuozzo, Frank Le Pinto, Johnny Best, Conrad Gozzo, Louis Mucci, Billy Butterfield, Brody Schroff, Manny Klein, Nate Kazebier, Jimmy Blake, Dick Mains, Mickey McMickle, Trumpets; Lou McGarity, Cutty Cutshall, Charlie Castaldo, Trummy Young, Eddie Aulino, Chauncey Welsch, Kai Winding, Dick Le Fave, Hoyt Bohannon, Eddie Benson, Leon Cox, Trombones; Addison Collins, French Horn; Clint Neagley, Sol Kane, Bud Shiffman, Hymie Schertzer, Aaron Sachs, Bill Shine, Gerry Sanfino, John Prager, Larry Molinelli, Alto Saxes; Vido Musso, George Berg, John Walton, Leonard Sims, Stan Koslow, Ray Beller, Stan Getz, Emmet Carl, Peanuts Hucko, Gish Gilbertson, Cliff Strickland, Lester Clark, Tenor Saxes; Chuck Gentry, Art Ralston, Bob Poland, Danny Bank, John Pepper, Al Klink, Baritone Saxes; Mel Powell, Charlie Queener, Joe Bushkin, Pianos; Johnny White, Vibes; Tom Morgan, Dave Barbour, Mike Bryan, Guitars; Sid Weiss, Cliff Hill, Clyde Lombardi, Barney Spieler, Jack Lesberg, String Basses; Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, Ralph Collier, Alvin Stoller, Hud Davies, Morey Feld, Drums; Peggy Lee, Liza Morrow, Vocals.