Hot

All of the music from two former LPs by cornetist Jim Cullum from 1976-1977 are reissued on this single CD. Jim Cullum, Jr., had taken over the Happy Jazz Band from his father, clarinetist Jim Cullum, Sr., upon the latter's death in 1973. The first half of this two-fer has Cullum and his sextet sounding fine in 1976 although some of the frameworks and arrangements seem a little stiff. There are some good moments along the way, as one would expect from a frontline of Cullum, Randy Reinhart (trombone and flügelhorn), and clarinetist Allan Vaché. But the second album, from just a year later and with the same lineup except for a change in the tuba/bass slot, is far superior. The arrangements are explosive, Reinhart is heard in some memorable spots on second trumpet, and this album is quite passionate. It is as if Jim Cullum had tossed off the restrictions of his father's group. "Milenberg Joys" has a really spectacular two-trumpet section, "Thou Swell" is given a completely unpredictable arrangement, and "I Would Do Anything for You" is plain hot. So while the earlier date is worthwhile, the slightly later session is the reason for trad and Dixieland fans to get this historic and heated reissue.