This compilation of
Lester Young recordings from the mid-'40s comes from several sources. The first six tracks were made in 1944 for the documentary
Jammin' the Blues (though only three songs were heard in the film), previously issued under the same title by Musidisc and also by Jazz Archives as
Jammin' With Lester.
Young is in good form with either
Marlowe Morris or
Garland Finney on piano, guitarist
Barney Kessel, either
Red Callendar or
John Simmons on bass, and Sid Catlett or
Jo Jones on drums. The obscure singer
Marie Bryant is added for "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and "If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)," and
Dicky Wells and
Illinois Jacquet also appear on several numbers. The highlights of this historic session include the title track (a riff tune featuring
Young's best solo of the date) and a swinging "Sweet Georgia Brown." The remaining music comes from several different Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts in 1946, all of which have been previously issued by Verve. While this material also has historic value, several tracks are incomplete and the sound reproduction ranges from good to barely acceptable. Most fans of
Lester Young will want the 1944 recordings in some form, so anyone owning earlier CDs with this material need not purchase this English reissue.
–
Ken Dryden, Rovi