In contrast to
Hawkins's sometimes sleepy studio albums from this era, his live performances were generally quite exciting. This set features the great tenor at two European concerts in 1960, performing three fairly heated numbers with a four-piece rhythm section, matching wits with trumpeter
Roy Eldridge on "Crazy Rhythm" and leading two all-star jams with
Eldridge, fellow tenor
Don Byas and altoist
Benny Carter. Some of the music is quite fiery, making this a recommended disc. ~ Scott Yanow