Seven Comes Eleven

AMG Review of Seven Comes Eleven

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Here is an LP full of surprises. Benny Goodman is heard in 1975 playing with four different combos. He performs four songs (including the unfortunate "Send in the Clowns") with a quintet that includes guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, adds trombonist Al Grey to a similar group for "Sweet Lorraine" and reunites with violinist Joe Venuti (who he had last recorded with in 1933) for spirited versions of "Slipped Disc" and "Limehouse Blues." Most noteworthy though, are the three numbers that find BG in a septet with guitarist George Benson. Their hot version of "Seven Come Eleven" is very memorable. Overall, this LP shows that Benny Goodman at 66 still remained a force to be reckoned with.