Must have for Teagarden fans
11/28/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a must have for Teagarden fans. I love jazz, play trombone and enjoy Teagarden. I purchased this on a whim. What a find! This is a period when Big T was struggled to run his own big band. While the band was not a rousing financial success at the time (booze, women, you know)this disc is a great listen. The style is varied, and progresses from dixie to straight forward big band. Jack's dynamic, emotional trombone playing shines through from beginning to end. The energy level varies from frantic rag/dixie to slow, meloncholy blues. The musicianship is great throughout, but particularly impressive in the Chicago sessions in 1946. (songs 9 - 14) Trumpet player Andy Marchese, (who wrote "Saving you for me") is phenominal.
You can feel Teagarden's blues as his dream of having his own band is slipping away in the radio spot "Body and Soul".
Jack's folksy, bar room voice is charming. There are other, more stereotypical Teagarden disks you can purchase. If you are going to only have one, however, this is it!"