Although he was recording for small labels late in his career, pianist
Johnny Guarnieri was still very much in his prime. An underrated swing stylist whose playing was similar to the way he sounded in the mid-'40s,
Guarnieri enjoyed giving attention to talented composers of the early days who were also underrated and overlooked. Walter Donaldson, although hardly a household name, had written dozens of standards, some of which are on this trio LP (on which
Guarnieri is given fine support by bassist Ray Leatherwood and drummer Danny Pucillo), including "Makin' Whoopee," "My Blue Heaven," "Little White Lies" and "At Sundown." Worth searching for. ~ Scott Yanow