This collection of
Bechet tracks cut between 1932 and 1941 would be worth owning if for nothing else than the inclusion of his one-man-band recording of "Sheik of Araby," the first known instance of overdubbing with
Sidney playing clarinet, tenor sax, piano, bass and drums. But everything on here is fine, spirited New Orleans music, played with verve and wild energy. Kicking off with a wild version of "Maple Leaf Rag" by the New Orleans Feetwarmers, the set moves to include
Bechet with
Jelly Roll Morton,
Tommy Ladnier (excellent versions of "Weary Blues" and
Mezz Mezzrow's "Really the Blues"), Dr. Henry Levine's Barefoot Dixieland Philharmonic, and
Sidney's later versions of the Feetwarmers. While some of the later configurations are too rooted in a more modern style,
Bechet's brilliant lines and clear tone come through every time. With the exception of the sometimes quite naturally grainy "Sheik" overdub session, everything here is brilliantly captured with remarkable fidelity considering the source. ~ Cub Koda