Stars Fell On Alabama (Giants of Jazz)

Giants of Jazz, the Italian reissue label — which uses both legal and semi-legal tapes — sometimes releases recordings that are on the dodgy side, and other times offers listeners a solid view into the development of a particular artist. These 22 sides by Jack Teagarden, collected between the years 1931 and 1947, offer a very intimate view of the great trombonist and vocalist at the height of his power as both a bandleader and as a sideman. From the early New Orleans material such as "I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues," and "Melancholy Baby" right on through the title cut and the stellar blues shouting of "Tiger Rag" and Hoagy Carmichael's "Rocking Chair." This may not be a definitive Teagarden statement — there are a number of them — but it's more than an idea or a taste. It's a solid collection (sound varies given the period) that offers a very solid view of the particular genius of Teagarden.