Benny Goodman & Paris Listen To The Magic

 

Under Paris Skies

Benny Goodman & Paris

Listen To The Magic

Produced by Loren Becker and Robert Byrne

Art Director: Daniel Pezza

Recording Engineer: C. R. Fine

Stereo and Monaural Mastering: George Piros

Command ABC Records STEREO RS 921 SD

1967

From the inside (gatefold) cover: This is Benny Goodman complete. Every nuance of his clarinet technique and of his unique sound is heard with unblemished clarity. At times, the close-up reality of these recordings is almost incredible.

And this is the definitive Benny Goodman – Benny Goodman reorder to his own precise specifications. To achieve this, Command gave Goodman a completely free hand in the recording studio. Command's experienced engineering staff was placed at his disposal. Microphone set-ups, positioning of musicians, balances were all adjusted under Goodman's direction until he heard the sound exactly as he knew it should be.

The group that Benny leads is made up of musicians who are part of an inner core of men on which he draws whenever he puts a combo together. When they recorded these pieces, they were playing at the famous Rainbow Grill on the 65th floor of the RCA Building in New York, a room that looks out over a breathtaking view of Manhattan and the far hills of New Jersey.

Joe Newman, on trumpet, was one of the stars of the big band with which Goodman toured the U.S.S.R. He was in Count Basie's band all through the Nineteen Fifties until he settled in New York in 1961.

Urbie Green, on trombone, was added to Goodman's Rainbow Grill gourd for these recordings. He played with the Goodman band in the film, The Benny Goodman Story, and in 1957 led a touring version of the Goodman band. He earned his big band spurs in the 'Forties and 'Fifties with Gene Group and Woody Herman.

Bernie Leighton played piano in the Goodman band 'way back in 1940 and was also a member of the Goodman sextet then. Since then he has been a very active piano soloist in New York as well as a conductor and accompanist for numerous singer.

Attila Zoller, guitar, was born in Hungary and made a reputation in Europe as a jazz musician before coming the Untied States in 1959. He played for three years with Herbie Mann's group and has also led his own combos.

George Duvivier is acknowledged, but the demands for his services, to be one of the most brilliant bassists playing today. For many years he accompanied Lena Horne but for the past decade he has spent most of his time in New York as  busy freelance musician.

Joe Marshall is a drummer who has built an enviable reputation with several small groups, including Goodman's.

From Billboard - November 4, 1967: Benny Goodman's clarinet work is legendary and Command's sound technique gives it a potent reality. The package is pegged on the rhythm of Paris and Goodman is in his stride as he goes through "April In Paris," "I Love Paris," "Under Paris Skies" and others of equal delight.

How 'Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm

Autumn Leaves

I Love Paris (from "Can Can")

A Man And A Woman (from the movie "A Man And A Woman")

C'est Magnifique (from "Can Can")

Petite Fleur (Little Flower)

I Wish You Love

Mimi

C'est Si Bon

Under Paris Skies

I Will Wait For You I (from the movie "The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg")