The Complete RCA Victor Small Group Recordings is a 1997 compilation 3-CD set of sessions led by jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman, and recorded for the RCA Victor label between 1935 and 1939.
The music of the Benny Goodman Trio and Quartets (with the clarinetist, pianist Teddy Wilson, drummer Gene Krupa and sometimes vibraphonist Lionel Hampton) has been put out many times through the years, including in other, earlier "complete" sets. This 1997 three-CD reissue not only has all of the regular recordings, but 20 alternate takes, two of which were previously unissued. Many of the performances (such as "After You've Gone," "Moonglow," "Dinah" and "Avalon") are quite famous, considered perfect examples of "chamber jazz," and veteran collectors will certainly enjoy hearing many of the alternates. Singers Helen Ward and Martha Tilton, trumpeter Ziggy Elman (on "Bei Mist Bist Du Schoen") and (after Krupa's departure) drummers Dave Tough and Buddy Schutz, bassist John Kirby and pianist Jess Stacy also make appearances. Classic music with many exciting moments from the King of Swing and his famous sidemen.
Benny Goodman – clarinet
Teddy Wilson, Jess Stacy – piano
Gene Krupa, Dave Tough, Buddy Schutz – drums
Lionel Hampton – vibraphone
John Kirby – bass
Ziggy Elman – trumpet
CD1
1. After You've Gone (Take 1) [02:47]
2. After You've Gone (Take 2) [02:47]
3. Body and Soul (Take 1) [03:29]
4. Body and Soul (Take 2) [03:24]
5. Who [03:13]
6. Someday, Sweetheart [02:48]
7. China Boy [02:32]
8. More Than You Know [03:14]
9. All My Life [03:13]
10. Oh, Lady Be Good [03:01]
11. Nobody's Sweetheart [02:46]
12. Too Good To Be True [03:30]
13. Moonglow (Take 1) [03:24]
14. Moonglow (Take 2) [03:12]
15. Dinah [02:41]
16. Exactly Like You [03:18]
17. Vibraphone Blues [03:22]
18. Sweet Sue - Just You (Take 1) [03:18]
19. Sweet Sue - Just You (Take 2) [03:26]
20. My Melancholy Baby [03:25]
21. Tiger Rage (Take 1) [02:59]
CD2
1. Stompin' At The Savoy (Take 1) [03:19]
2. Stompin' At The Savoy (Take 2) [02:49]
3. Whispering [03:22]
4. Tiger Rag (Take 2) [03:23]
5. Tiger Rag (Take 3) [03:20]
6. Ida! Sweet As Apple Cider [03:47]
7. Tea For Two [03:07]
8. Runnin' Wild [02:38]
9. Avalon (Take 1) [02:52]
10. Avalon (Take 2) [02:46]
11. Handful Of Keys (Take 1) [02:22]
12. Handful Of Keys (Take 2) [02:28]
13. The Man I Love [03:28]
14. Smiles [03:01]
15. Liza (All The Clouds 'L Roll Away) [03:24]
16. Where Or When [03:24]
17. Silhouetted In The Moonlight [02:57]
18. Vieni, Vieni, Vieni (Take 1) [02:53]
19. Vieni, Vieni, Vieni (Take 2) [02:51]
20. I'm A Ding Dong Daddy (From Dumas) (Take 1) [02:44]
21. I'm A Ding Dong Daddy (From Dumas) (Take 2) [02:41]
22. Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen, Part 1 (Take 2) [03:22]
23. Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen, Part 1 (Take 1) [03:26]
24. Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen, Part 2 (Take 1) [03:24]
CD3
1. Sweet Lorraine [03:51]
2. The Blues In Your Flat (Take 1) [02:34]
3. The Blues In Your Flat (Take 2) [02:33]
4. The Blues In My Flat [03:25]
5. Sugar (That Sugar Baby Of Mine) (Take 1) [03:49]
6. Sugar (That Sugar Baby Of Mine) (Take 2) [03:34]
7. Dizzy Spells [03:18]
8. Opus 1 2 [03:23]
9. I Must Have That Man [03:24]
10. Sweet Georgia Brown [03:06]
11. 's Wonderful (Take 1) [03:25]
12. 's Wonderful (Take 2) [03:28]
13. Pick-A-Rib, Part 1 (Take 1) [02:55]
14. Pick-A-Rib, Part 2 (Take 1) [02:56]
15. Pick-A-Rib, Part 1 (Take 2) [02:58]
16. Pick-A-Rib, Part 2 (Take 2) [02:08]
17. I Cried For You (Now It's Your Turn To Cry Over Me) (Take 1) [03:18]
18. I Cried For You (Now It's Your Turn To Cry Over Me) (Take 2) [03:22]
19. I Know That You Know (Take 1) [03:01]
20. I Know That You Know (Take 2) [03:03]
21. Opus 3 4 (Take 1) [02:55]
22. Opus 3 4 (Take 2) [02:59]
