Ralph Sutton with Ted Easton Jazzband

The great stride pianist Ralph Sutton was in Europe when he recorded this live concert with Dutch drummer Ted Easton's quintet. The repertoire is mostly filled with Dixieland and New Orleans warhorses (the exceptions are Benny Carter's "Blues in My Heart," "Sunshine of Love," and "Emaline"), but the musicians make the music sound fresh and generally exciting. Sutton, who was always very consistent, excels as usual and there are fine solos along the way by trumpeter Bob Wulffers, trombonist Henk Van Muyen, and clarinetist Frits Kaatee. Highlights include "I'll Be a Friend With Pleasure," "South Rampart Street Parade," "Emaline," and "Honky Tonk Train Blues," the latter one of four unaccompanied Sutton piano solos. An excellent Dixieland date from the mid-'70s; the 1975 date is an educated guess.