Benny Goodman and the Swing Era
'The author gives a scrupulous account of Goodman's life and character, without indulging in excessive psychological speculation. He also presents an excellent survey of the rise of the big band.' Geoffrey Smith, Country Life 'he has marshalled the available data very diligently ... a commendable work on the Jewish boy from the ghetto who made good' Jim Godbolt, Sunday Telegraph 'his book leaves us with a sharply drawn, far from flattering portrait of the ambitious, totally self-centred clarinettist and band leader ... But Collier paints an enthralling picture of the whole American popular music industry through to the fifties ... Collier is an extremely able social historian ... His ensembles blow as hard as his solos making this book an indispensable companion to the records.' John Ellis, The Guardian 'brilliantly chronicled by James Lincoln Collier in this in-depth study ... With its fine photographs, notes, index and discography, it belongs in every jazz fan's library.' Elaine Ives-Cameron, Jewish Chronicle 'Collier... writes wonderfully well' Devon Life 'Even with the benefit of all the diligent research that has made this book so gripping, Collier is unable to explain why Goodman could be so uniquely nasty ... a disturbing and revealing account of one of the most paradoxical lives in jazz.' Jazz FM 'authoritative study ... The author gives a scrupulous account of Goodman's life and character, without indulging in excessive psychological speculation. He also presents an excellent survey of the rise of the big band.' Geoffrey Smith, Country Life 'this is a substantial and recommendable read' Wire Monthly 'Collier's probing of Goodman's personality and his assessment of the music it created is superior to his earlier studies of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.' Times Literary Supplement 'the book gives a new and fascinating insight into Goodman's particular style of leadership and discipline ... This is, without a doubt, the most in-depth analysis of any band leader ... that you are ever likely to read.' Tony Parker, Oldham Evening Chronicle 'the most reliable of Collier's three jazz biographies' Jazztimes, November 1991 'Collier's book amplifies very extensively Goodman's autobiography, The Kingdom of Swing.' Times Literary Supplement