By 1959 Herman had broken up his Third Herd and was utilizing a sextet filled with important young players. This live LP from 1959 (the only recording of this group) finds him well-featured on both alto and clarinet with a band that also boasts trumpeter Nat Adderley, acoustic guitarist Charlie Byrd and Eddie Costa on piano and vibes. All 12 selections (mixing together standards and forgotten originals) have their enjoyable moments. A rare chance to hear Woody Herman as a key soloist in a small group. - Scott Yanow
Forum (F 9016)
1959
A1 Black Nightgown
A2 Pea Soup
A3 Just A Child
A4 Petite Fleur
A5 Lullaby Of Birdland
A6 Inside Out
B1 The Swingin' Shepherd Blues
B2 The Deacon And The Elder
B3 Princess "M"
B4 Moten Swing
B5 Early Autumn
B6 The Late Late Show
Bass – William Betts; Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Woody Herman; Drums – Jimmy Campbell
Guitar – Charlie Byrd; Piano – Eddie Costa; Trumpet – Nat Adderley
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Recorded at the Roundtable nightclub in New York City on July 1, 1959, this performance marked the beginning of a new, penultimate phase of Jack Teagarden's recording career. His Capitol Records contract having ended the previous spring, he then performed for the portable recording equipment of Roulette Records, which would release some of the sides recorded at this gig as a live album, and which would, for a time, revive his fortunes. Although he's a little less agile and powerful, having reached his late 50s after a career's worth of constant work, and some health problems (later resolved), the cohesiveness of the band makes this release well-worth hearing. The group, in a typical live set, plays seven Dixieland warhorses and the obscure "When" (which was written by the King of Thailand). Teagarden, trumpeter Don Goldie, clarinetist Henry Cuesta, the great stride pianist Don Ewell, bassist Stan Puls, and drummer Ronnie Greb put on a lively, crowd-pleasing show highlighted by "South Rampart Street Parade," "St. James Infirmary" (sung by Teagarden), "St. Louis Blues," and Ewell's feature on "Honeysuckle Rose." [Note: as of 2005, At the Roundtable has never been reissued on its own, but is part of Mosaic's Complete Roulette Jack Teagarden Sessions, augmented with a significant body of unreleased track from this same performance.] - Bruce Eder
Roullette R25091
Roundtable Nightclub, NYC 1959
Don Goldie (tp, vcl); Jack Teagarden (tb, vcl); Henry Cuesta (cl); Don Ewell (p),
Stan Puls (b); Ronnie Greb (d).
A1 South Rampart Street Parade
A2 St. James Infirmary
A3 Big Noise From Winetka
A4 When
B1 St. Louis Blues
B2 Honeysuckle Rose
B3 Stardust
B4 When Tha Saints Go Marching In
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Steve Allen was a jack of all trades as a comedian, television star, author, musician, and prolific composer, but he has been dismissed by a lot of critics as a lightweight performer and songwriter. Allen never clamed to rival Art Tatum as a pianist, or the likes of Cole Porter or Duke Ellington as a composer; he saw himself as an entertainer first. Surrounded by a strong supporting cast during this live engagement at the Roundtable (with Allen hamming it up on the cover photo in a suit of armor), Allen doesn't hog the spotlight but keeps his solos rather brief and gives his sidemen plenty of solo space. His opener "Roundtable Boogie" features guitarist Mundell Lowe, vibraphonist Terry Gibbs, and clarinetist Gus Bivona; while Allen isn't in the league of Meade Lux Lewis and Pete Johnson, he is a more than competent boogie-woogie player (he was once complimented on his boogie-woogie playing by Teddy Wilson, who confessed he had problems playing it himself!). Gibbs swings like mad in a fun-filled take of "I Got Rhythm." "Even Stephen" is actually a wild reworking of "Jeepers Creepers." Doc Severinson adds his swinging trumpet to Allen's rousing closer, "Baby, But You Did." Although this won't be an essential recording for the average jazz fan, anyone who enjoys Steve Allen will be delighted to acquire this record. - Ken Dryden
Roullette Records
SR-25053
1959
A1 Roundtable Boogie
A2 Why Don't You Want to Go Home
A3 I Got Rhythm
B1 Even Stephen
B2 I Thought About You
B3 Baby, But You Did
Steve Allen (piano); Mundell Lowe (guitar); Gus Bivona (clarinet, saxophone, alto saxophone);
Doc Severinsen (trumpet); Terry Gibbs (vibraphone); Gary Peacock (bass instrument);
Gary Frommer (drums).
