Cornetist Jim Cullum leads one of the finest classic jazz/Dixieland bands of the 1990s. For this Audiophile CD, his septet (which also includes trombonist Mike Pittsley, clarinetist
Allan Vache, and pianist
John Sheridan) plays 14
Hoagy Carmichael songs, including such rarely performed numbers as "Kinda Lonesome," "I Walk With Music," and "Snowball," and a few of the "hits" (including "Star Dust" and "Skylark"). A special high point is the multi-tempoed treatment given "Washboard Blues" during its nearly 9-and-a-half minutes. Easily recommended both for the melodic ensembles (many of which are arranged) and the strong solo work. ~ Scott Yanow