This CD is a reissue of the JSP LP
On the Sunny Side of the Street, though it adds 4 previously unissued tracks.
Benny Waters was only 79 at the time of the two studio sessions, and he was active as a performer well into his mid90s, with his final recordings taking place on his 95th birthday at Birdland. With a rhythm section comprised of guitarist
Paul Sealey, bassist Erica Howard, and drummer
John Cox, he sings
Nellie Lutcher's 1940s hit "Hurry on Down" and plays some bluesy alto sax; this number also features brief but effective solos by
Sealey and Howard. "Up a Lazy River," making its first appearance, has some tasty clarinet by the leader.
Waters' gritty tenor swings hard on "Topsy," another newly added track. The lack of a piano makes no difference to the veteran musician, who is impressive throughout this expanded reissue.