Buddy Tate,
Jim Galloway, and
Jay McShann join forces with bassist
Don Thompson and drummer
Terry Clarke for these delightful 1981 studio sessions, which cover less-familiar swing repertoire.
Tate, who doubles on tenor sax and clarinet, and
Galloway, who alternates between soprano, baritone, and tenor sax, complement one another perfectly. With the bluesy piano of
McShann and two of Canada's finest musicians joining him in the rhythm section, how can anything go amiss? The music is at a high level throughout the CD, though a trio of tunes from the vast band book of
Duke Ellington,
Mercer Ellington's "John Hardy's Wife," a strutting take of
Johnny Hodges' "Good Queen Bess," and the bandleader's gospel-flavored "Saturday Night Function" particularly stand out on this highly recommended disc. ~ Ken Dryden