Pianist
Billy Taylor's regular trio of 1960 (which also includes bassist
Henry Grimes and drummer
Ray Mosca) sounds quite tight on this live set, even though they had only been together a brief time.
Taylor performs a wide-ranging program within the modern mainstream of the early '60s, including pieces by
Erroll Garner ("La Petite Mambo"),
Duke Jordan and
Bobby Timmons (a heartfelt rendition of "Moanin"), four of his originals (highlighted by the boppish "Biddy's Beat") and a driving version of "'S Wonderful." Although
Taylor's activities as a highly articulate spokesman for jazz have sometimes overshadowed his playing, he shows throughout this fine CD reissue that he has long ranked among the best.