Guitarist Barney Kessel's string of recordings for Contemporary in the 1950s included some of the finest work of his career. The unusual repertoire on this set -- which includes "Louisiana," "Indiana," and "12th Street Rag," along with four
Kessel originals and more usual standards -- would by itself make this bop/cool set noteworthy. Add to that a very interesting lineup of players (trumpeter
Harry "Sweets" Edison,
Georgie Auld or
Bill Perkins on tenor, pianist
Jimmy Rowles, the rhythm guitar of
Al Hendrickson, bassist
Red Mitchell, and
Shelly Manne or Irv Cottler on drums) and some excellent showcases for
Kessel, and the overall result is a recording highly recommended to fans of straight-ahead jazz. ~ Scott Yanow