Benny in Brussels

Well, I discovered a live concert album with benny goodman on Spotify the other day. The title said Benny Goodman In Concert. Helpful. Not. The real title is Benny in Brussels and the concert took place in 1958 in… Brussels.

Anyway on to the album itself. It was my first listen of a live concert with Benny so of course I was delighted. Even more so when the energic Jimmy Rushing sung on the track  “Brussels Blues”. What a treat! Makes you want to go back in time huh? Oh well, man up Kjetil, no time to get sentimental now. Frank Sinatra. Damnit, you did it again!

Anywho. Another highlight track (in my opinion) is the enjoyable “Stealin’ Apples”. Just straightforward swingy bigband with wonderful solos.

Now a peculiar but interesting track is “Balcan Mixed Grill” which actually describes the track pretty well with east european-ishly vibes. An interesting addition I must say. Nice to see them thinking out of the box. Or something.

And Jimmy captures the stage once again on “Mr. Five By Five”. You can’t help but lovin’ it.

And of course it finishes (well, next last song) with One O’Clock Jump. Possibly one of the greatest bigband tracks of all time. Man, this swings.

Final

In retrospect I must admit it wasn’t the best I’ve heard with Benny. He has potential for so much (more). His solos here wasn’t the most creative I’ve heard, but nevertheless a delightful and enjoyable album.

Tracklist:
1. Let’s Dance
2. Don’t Be That Way
3. Hallelujah
4. Obsession
5. Brussels Blues
6. More Than You Know
7. The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise
8. Jubilee
9. Roll ‘Em
10. Stealin’ Apples
11. Memories of You
12. Balkan Mixed Grill
13. Gershwin Medley: The Man I Love/Oh, Lady Be Good/Somebody Loves Me
14. St. Louis Blues
15. Mr. Five by Five
16. March of the Belgian Paratroops
17. One O’Clock Jump
18. Goodbye

1. Let’s Dance Listen
2. Don’t Be That Way Listen
3. Hallelujah Listen
4. Obsession Listen
5. Brussels Blues Listen
6. More Than You Know Listen
7. The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise Listen
8. Jubilee Listen
9. Roll ‘Em Listen
10. Stealin’ Apples Listen
11. Memories of You Listen
12. Balkan Mixed Grill Listen
13. Gershwin Medley: The Man I Love/Oh, Lady Be Good/Somebody Loves Me Listen
14. St. Louis Blues Listen
15. Mr. Five by Five Listen
16. March of the Belgian Paratroops Listen
17. One O’Clock Jump Listen
18. Goodbye
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