Search - Jimmy Yancey :: Best of Jimmy Yancey

Blues piano minimalism

T. Bekken | Austmarka Norway | 01/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yancey was the man when it came to simple, down-to-earth blues piano, and this recording from late in his career (mostly from 1951) is a textbook example of how a seemingly simple form can be taken to unforeseen heights by a consummate, skilled performer. Backed by the great bassist Israel Crosby, and with spouse Estelle 'Mama' Yancey singing on a couple of tracks, this is classic Yancey. A few songs here are recordings from 1939, and they are even better, if only because they are better known."