Red Norvo had a lengthy and diverse career which is perfectly summed up in the 40 performances included on this three-LP Time-Life box set. Starting with his brilliant xylophone showcase on 1933's "Knockin' on Wood" and his early all-star recordings through the small groups he led at the beginning of the swing era,
Norvo's unique big band (which featured the vocals of his wife
Mildred Bailey), all of the music from a particularly memorable
Teddy Wilson quartet session (with
Harry James and bassist
John Simmons) through the war years, collaborations with the
Benny Goodman Sextet and
Woody Herman and his brilliant trios in the 1950s before concluding with 1957's "Just a Mood," this definitive set certainly covers a lot of ground athough it leaves off the music from
Norvo's last 25 years on record! Its attractive booklet is another reason to acquire this valuable set, even by listeners who already have the majority of the recordings.