Item Overview & Music:

Up for sale is a vintage 1950s 12-inch mono vinyl LP documenting the legendary recordings of electric guitar pioneer Charlie Christian with the Benny Goodman Sextet and Orchestra, issued on Columbia Records (CL 652).

Charlie Christian revolutionized jazz during his brief, meteoric career with Benny Goodman from 1939 until his tragic death at age 25 in 1942. Armed with his Gibson ES-150 electric guitar, Christian introduced horn-style single-string solo lines, sophisticated passing chords, and driving swing phrasing that directly inspired Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and the birth of bebop. 

Curated by George Avakian and Bob Prince, this definitive LP brings together seminal studio masters, rare alternate splicings, and legendary rehearsal warm-up jams (such as the candid studio moment "Waitin' for Benny" and "Blues in B").

Personnel & Sessions:

- Charlie Christian – Electric Guitar

- Benny Goodman – Clarinet

- Lionel Hampton – Vibraphone

- Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, Johnny Guarnieri – Piano

- Cootie Williams – Trumpet

- Georgie Auld – Tenor Saxophone

- Artie Bernstein – Bass

- Jo Jones, Dave Tough, Harry Jaeger – Drums

Tracklist:

Side 1 (XLP 34964):

1. Blues In B

2. Wholly Cats

3. Till Tom Special

4. Gone With "What" Wind

5. Breakfast Feud

6. Air Mail Special

Side 2 (XLP 34965):

1. Waitin' For Benny

2. A Smo-o-o-oth One

3. Seven Come Eleven

4. Six Appeal

5. Gone With What Draft

6. Solo Flight (Full Big Band Showcase)

Condition Details:

- All records are ultrasonic cleaned and play tested prior to listing.

- Vinyl: VG+ condition with beautiful original gloss across both sides. Shows only a few faint, superficial paper sleeve marks that do not affect playback. Tracks cleanly and dynamically with warm, punchy 1950s Columbia mono presence. Free of skips, deep scratches, or warps.

- Cover / Sleeve: VG condition. The original tan front jacket with the historical text narrative and photo of Charlie Christian remains sturdy and legible. Shows typical vintage age toning, light edge scuffing, minor corner softening, and faint ring rubbing as visible in photos. The seams and spine are intact.

- Labels: Classic red Columbia ring design with bold typography. The center spindle holes are clean and intact with minimal spindle traces.

Packaging & Shipping:

Vinyl LPs are packaged in a dedicated record mailer to protect the edges, spine, and surfaces during transit. We will combine shipping for all orders.

Please examine all included photographs for exact label, cover, and vinyl details. Feel free to ask any questions prior to purchasing.