Willie Bryant, an important bandleader for a time in the 1930s, was a familiar and likable fixture at the Apollo Ballroom in the 1940s and '50s, acting as an M.C. and taking an occasional vocal. This Delmark CD draws its songs from the Apollo label and emphasizes early R&B. Ten songs feature
Bryant (including two-part versions of "Blues Around the Country" and "Blues Around the Clock") and on some of the tracks the backup group features altoist
Tab Smith and trumpeter
Taft Jordan.
Doc Pomus and the obscure Bob Range have four vocals apiece,
Laurel Watson is heard on two songs and
Ben Smith sings "Reboppin' for Red." This CD is consistently satisfying and easily recommended to fans of the era.