Goodman was regarded by some as a demanding taskmaster, by others an arrogant and eccentric martinet. Many musicians spoke of The Ray, Goodman's trademark glare that he bestowed on a musician who failed to perform to his demanding standards. Anita O'Day and Helen Forrest spoke bitterly of their experiences singing with Goodman. "The twenty or so months I spent with Benny felt like twenty years," said Forrest. "When I look back, they seem like a life sentence." He could also be incredibly self-absorbed; it is reported that when eating an egg onto which a ketchup bottle cap had fallen, Goodman simply ate around it. At the same time, there are reports that he privately funded several college educations and was sometimes very generous, though always secretly. When a friend asked him why one time, he reportedly said, "Well, if they knew about it, everyone would come to me with their hand out."
Some suggest that Elvis Presley had the same success with rock and roll that Goodman achieved with jazz and swing. Without Goodman there would not have been a swing era. It is true that many of Goodman's arrangements had been played for years before by Fletcher Henderson's orchestra. While Goodman publicly acknowledged his debt to Henderson, many young white swing fans had never heard Henderson's band. While most consider Goodman a jazz innovator, others maintain his main strength was his perfectionism and drive. Goodman was a non - pariel virtuoso clarinetist and -along with only Artie Shaw, amongst the most technically proficient jazz clarinetists of all time.
Goodman is also responsible for a significant step in racial integration in America. In the early 1930s, black and white jazz musicians could not play together in most clubs or concerts. In the Southern states, racial segregation was enforced by the Jim Crow laws. Benny Goodman broke with tradition by hiring Teddy Wilson to play with him ] in the Autumn of 1936. He then added Lionel Hampton on vibes in December, 1936, and in the early Summer of 1939 he augmented the famous "quartette" with pioneering jazz guitarist Charlie Christian to his band and small ensembles, who played with him until his untimely death from tuberculosis less than three years later. To give an understanding of American history at this time, Goodman's integration of popular music happened ten years before Jackie Robinson entered Major League Baseball. "[Goodman's] popularity was such that he could remain financially viable without touring the South, where he would have been subject to arrest for violating Jim Crow laws." By the mid- Summer of 1941, Benny had hired the incomparably rhythmic and show-man drummer, legendary "Big Sid" Catlett, the (later) famous John Simmons on bass, and still possessed the incomparable Charlie Christian on electric guitar -plus Cootie Williams was in the middle of his one-year contract... This amounted to virtually one-quarter of the orchestra of black heritage, but of course -following Jimmy Munday and Fletcher Henderson (who also joined the band as pianist for 6 months in July, 1939) it was really an orchestrated white extension of black big band jazz -only, curiously -better.
Ciribiribin
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a handsome gondolier
Every night he sings so happily
So his lady love can hear
In a manner oh gravissimo
He repeats his serenade,
And his heart beats so fortissimo
When she raises her Venetian shade
Ciribiribin, chiribiribin, ciribiribin
Ciribiribin, he waits for her each night beneath her balcony
Ciribiribin, he begs to hold her tight, but no, she won't agree
Ciribiribin, she throws a rose and blows a kiss from up above
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they're so in love
(Orchestral Interlude)
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they're so in love
The song "Ciribiribin" by Benny Goodman describes a handsome gondolier in Naples who serenades his lover every night beneath her balcony. His voice fills the air with love songs as he sings in a grave and serious tone with his heart beating forte when his beloved Venetian lady raises her shade to listen. The lyrics tell how he begs to hold her tight, but she won't agree, but she throws a rose and blows a kiss from above, proving their mutual love.
The song is a traditional Italian love song with a romantic and cheerful melody that paints a picture of a happy couple in love. The lyrics illustrate a tale of a man's persistence to win his lover's heart despite her initial resistance, reflecting the virtuous qualities of love such as passion, hope, and perseverance. The use of Italian phrases such as gravissimo and fortissimo adds authentic charm to the song and resonates with the Italian culture's emphasis on love, music, and family values.
Overall, "Ciribiribin" is a timeless classic that radiates joy and romance through a beautiful interplay of lyrics and music. The song invites us to embrace the importance of passion, devotion, and the power of love to conquer all obstacles and reach a blissful state of being.
Line by Line Meaning
When the moon hangs low in Napoli
During the night in Napoli when the moon is low
There's a handsome gondolier
A good-looking man who row and sing in a boat
Every night he sings so happily
Each night, he sings contentedly
So his lady love can hear
To let his lady listen to his song
In a manner oh gravissimo
In a way that's seriously solemn
He repeats his serenade,
He repeats playing and singing his song
And his heart beats so fortissimo
His heart throbs so loudly
When she raises her Venetian shade
When she lifts the window covering
Ciribiribin, he waits for her each night beneath her balcony
He waits underneath her balcony every night
Ciribiribin, he begs to hold her tight, but no, she won't agree
He pleads to embrace her tightly, however, she doesn't consent
Ciribiribin, she throws a rose and blows a kiss from up above
She casts and tosses a rose and kisses him from the rooftop above
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they're so in love
They're very much in love with each other
(Orchestral Interlude)
A musical break played by the orchestra
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they're so in love
They're very much in love with each other
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HOWARD E JOHNSON, ALBERTO PESTALOZZA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TrumpetDiva1
I got to play this with Harry and his band from 1982-83, the best time of my life. Harry, Ziggy Elman and Chris Griffin....what a section! Thanks for sharing this Chuck!
@glw5166
How lucky!
@albertbeer4809
Harry dies 1981
@ChuckParDueMusic
@@albertbeer4809Harry James died on July 5, 1983
@vaxwiz
I had the honor to meet Harry James in 1971 at the Dorian Manor in Sayreville, NJ. He had the whole band and brought down the house!...incredible!!!
@whatintarnation426
Thats great, Frank!!!! Luckyyy
@user-ud1nr7ek6g
LOVE ❤❤❤❤
@paulwand5391
I am 66 years old and grew listening to big band, my Father played trumpet much like James, and we listened to him all the time, and did go to one live concert. This version is the best and what I consider the original version! I myself play valve trombone.
@jeffdawson2786
Harry’s control on this is astonishing. The 3/4-4/4 arrangement is wonderful. When the band breaks loose and he solos, it’s like the first time I heard Louis Armstrong on “Potato Head Blues.” Speechless.😮;’
@michaelbutler5865
One word, magnificent!How can anyone dislike such a splendid recording?