The second of two volumes highlighting the Goodman band's history with Harry James is missing one major ingredient from the first -- Gene Krupa, who exited in March of 1939. Lionel Hampton fills in, followed by Dave Tough, who held the spot for a short time, only to be supplanted by Hampton and... [+] Expand

The second of two volumes highlighting the Goodman band's history with Harry James is missing one major ingredient from the first -- Gene Krupa, who exited in March of 1939. Lionel Hampton fills in, followed by Dave Tough, who held the spot for a short time, only to be supplanted by Hampton and Buddy Schultz. The sound is looser and more flowing, perhaps even more relaxed, but no less compelling in its musicianship or its beauty. The final four cuts here out of 22 don't feature James, who had exited the band, but they do close out the band's history with RCA-Victor, bringing us the end of that contract. (Loren Schoenberg's notes tend to focus more on the era than on Harry James.) The only vocal number on either of the two volumes, "You and Your Love" featuring Martha Tilton, doesn't detract from the surroundings, and makes a superb end to this two-disc retrospective. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide [-] Collapse

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