Rick Fay's series of Arbors releases, which really got going in 1991, are superior examples of Dixieland and small-group swing. On this set
Fay sticks to tenor and soprano (leaving his clarinet in the case), welcoming such major players as trumpeter
Jon-Erik Kellso, trombonist
Dan Barrett, clarinetist
Chuck Hedges, pianist-arranger
Dick Cary and guest-guitarist
Howard Alden (who makes a couple of rare appearances on banjo) to his octet. The music is played with plenty of spirit and, although all of the music but three originals was already quite vintage at the time, the musicians come up with many fresh statements. Among the highlights are "I Double Dare You," a
Dick Cary arrangement of
Bix Beiderbecke's "In The Dark," "Somebody Loves Me," "Roll On, Mississippi, Roll On," and "Come Back Sweet Papa." ~ Scott Yanow