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.
Peg O' My Heart
Benny Goodman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love you, don't let us part
I love you, I always knew it would be you
Since I heard your lilting laughter
It's your Irish heart I'm after
Peg o'my heart
Your glances make my heart say "How's chances?"
Come, be my own, come make your home in my heart
The song 'Peg O' My Heart' by Benny Goodman is a charming and romantic song that expresses the profound love of the singer towards Peg. Benny Goodman beautifully portrays the feelings through his music, and the lyrics enhance the emotions. The song tells us that the singer had always known that Peg is the one he loves and wants to be with forever. The singer also mentions that he has been drawn towards Peg's Irish heart since the day he heard her laughter. The lyrics of the song convey the message that their love is meant to be.
Furthermore, the song also talks about the singer's desire to be with Peg forever. The singer wants Peg to be his own and make a home in his heart. He is willing to love, cherish, and protect her for the rest of his life. Every glance from Peg makes his heart skip a beat, and he is confident that they will make the perfect couple.
To sum up, 'Peg O' My Heart' beautifully and successfully captures the essence of true and pure love.
Line by Line Meaning
Peg o'my heart
My dearest love
I love you, don't let us part
I adore you deeply, and I hope we never have to be separated
I love you, I always knew it would be you
From the first moment I saw you, I knew in my heart that you were the one I would love forever
Since I heard your lilting laughter
Ever since I first heard your delightful laughter, I have been drawn to you
It's your Irish heart I'm after
It's not just your laughter, but also your wonderful Irish spirit that I am pursuing
Peg o'my heart
My dearest love
Your glances make my heart say "How's chances?"
Whenever you cast a glance in my direction, I can't help but wonder if you might feel the same way about me
Come, be my own, come make your home in my heart
Please be with me and become a part of my life; let us build a home in my heart where we can always find comfort and happiness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alfred Bryan, Fred Fisher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
That Record
Incredibly dedication to consistent uploads, to details, and to accompanying photographs. Atticus Jazz, your channel is amazing. I hope that one day, you will reach the goal of uploading every single 78 from the 20s and 30s (Whadda goal!).
Edit: Ain't it amazing Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman played together in this?! The start of a musical rivalry of the swing era! Ha!
Atticus Jazz
Thank you very much for your kind comment.
Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller made their first recordings together. Here, you can hear the first solo of Benny on wax. He was only 17. Glenn Miller takes also a solo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5ds11nw4Yg
Tommy Löbel
@Atticus Jazz he was 19
Hans Limburger
Babe Russin is in top form here. What a fantastic sax solo!
Louis Panico
Babe Russin on tenor sax (0:41). Wow, what a "Babe"! Thank you so much for sharing, Atticus!!! :^D 🎺 LP
Radio-Chameau
Fantastic crew !
Trygve Hernæs
These sessions, recorded between February 3 and July 5, are musically the most perfect under Red Nichols, however, my real favourite session is April 18. 1029. Same old suspects, including Big Tea, Krupa and Goodman.
Cornell Waters
🐜 Music!
Tommy Löbel
Magic Benny