Although it is impossible to tell from the rather sparse packaging, this Everest LP draws its material from three Mercury sessions. Drummer
Buddy Rich is heard on three numbers ("Song of the Islands," "Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie" and "Yardbird Suite") driving a big band that includes trumpeter
Harry "Sweets" Edison, altoist
Phil Woods and tenor-saxophonist
Al Cohn.
Rich is also heard on "That's Rich, Man" with a septet but the remainder of this date (six veteran standards) showcases his so-so singing.
Rich sounds a little like
Frank Sinatra on those pieces while backed by an anonymous orchestra led by
Harold Mooney. An interesting but far from essential set.