On ten LPs (and reissued as ten CDs), the European Storyville label came out with a variety of rare performances recorded in New Orleans during the 1950s. None of the 13 selections on this particular volume were included in the other entries in this series. The focus is very much on trumpeters and there are selections featuring Ernie Cagnolatti,
Alvin Alcorn, Lee Collins, Papa Celestin ("The Saints"),
Percy Humphrey, Lee Collins,
Johnny Wiggs (who gets two songs),
Sharkey Bonano, George Hartman, the forgotten Johnny Bayersdorffer (who is unfortunately not in good shape),
Sharkey Bonano and the ill-fated but talented
George Girard. These mostly live and freewheeling performances (a few are previously unreleased alternate takes) are generally quite rewarding and easily recommended to lovers of New Orleans jazz. ~ Scott Yanow