This seventh volume in the
Chronological Classics series documenting the wildly flamboyant personality
Mezz Mezzrow is finally nearing the end, focusing in on the last decade of his life as a recording artist; he lived for another 14 years after he stopped. This set features
Mezzrow in the company of
Claude Bolling,
Red Richards,
Buck Clayton,
Red Richards,
Mowgli Jospin,
Big Chief Russell Moore,
Zutty Singleton and others. The program is all the old tunes, played and played again, from
Mezzrow's own minor classic "Really the Blues" (the title of his memoir as well), to "Royal Garden Blues," "When the Saints Go Marching In," "Honeysuckle Rose" and many more; the feel is relaxed and easy. There is little real innovation going on here, but the sound is terrific and the tunes themselves are timeless.
Mezzrow collectors will want this addition to the catalog.
–
Thom Jurek, Rovi