Pianist
Earl Hines is heard during a typical performance late in his career on this CD from 2000. Unfortunately it is not a solo set, but a date with his quartet (
Rudy Rutherford on clarinet, tenor, and flute; bassist
Harley White, and drummer
Eddie Graham) plus the OK vocalist Marva Josie. A seven-song medley of war-horses associated with
Duke Ellington (mostly brief, except for "Caravan" and a 13-and-a-half-minute version of "Satin Doll") is a bit slapdash, although not without its moments of interest. Josie sings a few typical bluish tunes, and
Hines gets to show off his endless trill on "St. Louis Blues." Better to skip this release and get some of
Hines' great solo piano recitals instead.