The tunes of
Walter Donaldson (mostly dating from the 1920s) are explored and lovingly investigated on this CD by a group of prebop all-stars headed by pianist
Keith Ingham and guitarist/vocalist
Marty Grosz.
Donaldson, although largely overlooked when lists are made of the great composers, was responsible for such tunes as "My Blue Heaven," "At Sundown," "How 'Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm," "My Baby Just Cares for Me," and "Love Me or Leave Me" (all of which are included in this program along with some lesser-known ditties; he also wrote "Yes Sir, That's My Baby," "Little White Lies," "Makin' Whoopee" and "You're Driving Me Crazy" (which are not performed by this group). Among the talented musicians who are heard on at least a few of the songs (the personnel changes constantly) are cornetist
Peter Ecklund, clarinetists
Bobby Gordon and
Billy Novick, tenor-saxophonist
Loren Schoenberg, trombonist
Dan Barrett,
Vince Giordano on bass sax, tuba and bass, violinist
Andy Stein, guitarist
Frank Vignola, bassist
Greg Cohen,
Paul Bacon (on comb) and drummers
Hal Smith and
Arnie Kinsella. This is fun music that is played with spirit.