Live at Carnegie Hall
Goodman was the "King of Swing" before he took the Carnegie Hall stage in January 1938, but this landmark concert amounted to his official coronation. Goodman works out the big band to start things off, and it's clear from the get-go that the clarinetist and crew would not be intimidated by the stately surroundings, sounding as loose and lively as ever. Key members of bothEllington's andBasie's bands join in before Goodman introduces his pioneering trio (withTeddy WilsonandGene Krupa) and quartet (withLionel Hampton). With a chance to stretch out to five minutes or more, the small group delivers furious and fiery readings that match if not top its studio work. By the time the full band returns for 12 minutes of "Sing Sing Sing"--highlighted by Jess Stacy's deservedly famous piano solo--the crowd is whipped into a frenzy, the musicians are cooking up a storm, and history has been made.--Marc Greilsamer