The Jimmy Rushing All Stars: Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good To You

This is a decent session that, considering the lineup, does not live up to its potential. At what was essentially a jazz party held in a recording studio, the musicians (trumpeter Buck Clayton, trombonist Dicky Wells, tenor saxophonist Julian Dash, pianist Sir Charles Thompson, bassist Gene Ramey, and drummer Jo Jones) are all veterans of the famous series of Buck Clayton jam sessions held in the 1950s and, along with singer Jimmy Rushing, the majority are alumni of the Count Basie Orchestra. The problem is that their rendition of the blues and swing standards are often quite loose; there is a generous amount of missteps; and, although Clayton is heroic under the circumstances (this was one of his final recordings before ill health caused his retirement), most of the musicians would have benefited from running through the songs an additional time. It's recommended only to completists.