A straight CD reissue of
Al Hirt's Jazz Band Ball from 1956, this is one of the finest recordings ever of trumpeter
Al Hirt and clarinetist
Pete Fountain. A classic Dixieland set, it finds
Hirt and
Fountain in their early prime quite inspired by each other's ideas. With the assistance of a fine rhythm section and the underrated trombonist
Bob Havens,
Hirt and
Fountain romp through such numbers as "The Original Dixieland One-Step," "Royal Garden Blues," "Jazz Me Blues," and "South Rampart Street Parade." A special bonus is that
Fountain takes very rare tenor solos on two songs, being showcased (and sounding like Eddie Miller) on "Washington and Lee Swing." Essential music for Dixieland fans. ~ Scott Yanow