This CD contains selections from 20 pianists, all but two (
Dodo Marmarosa and
Bill Evans) who play in pre-bop styles. Taken mostly from the Decca catalog, the collection has many fine performances highlighted by
Jelly Roll Morton's "The Pearls,"
Fats Waller and
James P. Johnson playing together on Johnny Dunn's "What's the Use of Being Alone,"
Joe Sullivan's "Little Rock Getaway," an alternate take of
Art Tatum's "Deep Purple" and rare performances from Frank Melrose,
Billy Kyle,
Clarence Profit and
Ralph Sutton. Not essential but this reissue has plenty of enjoyable music for fans of swing piano. ~ Scott Yanow