Benny Goodman's The King of Swing is part of RCA's mid-line series Bluebird's Best. This is a solid collection of original hits Goodman recorded for Bluebird in the mid- to late '30s. While there aren't any surprises here, the disc contains well-known hits such as the Gene Krupa/Benny Goodman tour de force "Sing, Sing, Sing." Unfortunately, the liner notes do not contain a complete personnel listing, but do include exact recording dates, soloists, and arrangers, including Helen Ward, Harry James, Mary Lou Williams, Bunny Berigan, and Krupa. The King of Swing is a perfect introduction to Benny Goodman from the prime era of the big bands.
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