Jimmy Witherspoon is heard in superior form throughout the two Pacific Jazz sessions included here. With fine backup and short solos from either
Harry "Sweets" Edison (in top form) or
Gerald Wilson on trumpet, both
Teddy Edwards and Jimmy Allen on tenors, Henry McDode or
Hampton Hawes on piano, rhythm guitarist Herman Mitchell, bassist
Jimmy Hamilton and drummer
Jimmy Miller,
Spoon digs into such numbers as "When I've Been Drinkin'," "Then the Lights Go Out," "There's Good Rockin' Tonight" and a remake of his big hit "'Tain't Nobody's Business." The closing "Midnight Blues" is an instrumental, giving the band a chance to stretch out a bit. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow