Previously unissued, this Copenhagen concert recording complements others already released from Goodman's extensive 1959 European tour. At its core is a quintet fronted by Norvo, an old associate of Goodman's, with Sheldon, Harris, Philips and Dodgion as added heavyweights. The result is an exciting melange of old and new, quintet pieces alongside full band items, familiar material versus new stuff, swing mixed with bebop, the clarinet boss sounding animated and interested throughout, even as he sits out a few numbers.

After a brief flurry of ‘Let's Dance’, we’re into ‘Air Mail Special’ by the six-piece, Goodman facile and Norvo his usual even-handed self, the horn men added to solo, Harris agile, before the riffs blow in. Freeman is quick-thinking on ‘Rachel's Dream’ and Sheldon is added, close-muted, echoing Fats Navarro's flash, on a boppish ‘Get Happy’ with Freeman similarly inclined, Norvo in the pocket. Dodgion gets ‘Don’t Get Around Much Anymore’ to himself, Goodman laying out as he does on ‘Ten Bone’, Harris and Phillips resuming their Woody Herman association in a rousing bop quintet format, Markham chopping logs.

‘Raise The Riff’ by Fred Karlin, reunites all, the shape and direction of the piece markedly more modern than earlier Goodman staples, and the more invigorating for it. O’Day and Sheldon reprise the old ‘Let Me Off Uptown’ routine, engagingly even if inaccurately. They both vocalise on ‘Gotta Be This or That’, with Phillips again pushing hard and Harris brilliantly adroit. Then it's a mixture of Goodman specials and more new material, the writing and solo playing both intriguing yet reassuring too. Good to have been there – great to have the recording.