Back in New Orleans during part of 1944-45, the legendary trumpeter
Bunk Johnson recorded fairly extensively with his regular group of the period: trombonist
Jim Robinson, clarinetist
George Lewis, banjoist Lawrence Marrero, bassist Alcide "Slow Drag" Pavageau, drummer
Baby Dodds and occasionally the tuba of Sidney Brown. This CD, which launched the rebirth of the American Music label, has 13 performances, including two vocals by Myrtle Jones, three songs not previously released in the U.S., and two numbers ("Weary Blues" and "How Long Blues") being put out for the first time. In general,
Bunk plays very well, and the ensemble-oriented music is quite enjoyable. ~ Scott Yanow