The king of post-1945 stride pianists,
Ralph Sutton is so consistently brilliant that it is difficult to come up with a recording of his that isn't highly recommended. This CD, a set of piano solos recorded in England and originally released by the J&M label, finds
Sutton digging into well-known and obscure material alike. Three pieces are medleys, including a 12-and-a-half-minute, four-song tribute to composer Willard Robison. Other highlights include
Fats Waller's "Viper's Drag," "I've Found a New Baby," "When I Grow Too Old to Dream," and "Honeysuckle Rose." Yet another highly recommended
Ralph Sutton CD. ~ Scott Yanow