The French Preservation New Orleans Jazz Band is a pianoless quartet that features the raspy and emotional tenor and alto playing of Jean-Pierre Alessi. For this live set, the first of two CDs from the same performance, Alessi and his group are joined by cornetist Fred Vigorito and trombonist
Big Bill Bissonnette. Alessi puts plenty of feeling into his playing, sometimes recalling altoist
Capn. John Handy in his infusion of 1950s R&B feeling into a trad New Orleans band. Vigorito plays well while
Bissonnette, who has two enthusiastic vocals, is heard throughout in top form. The repertoire is a bit inspired with a few surprises included. Highlights include a slower than usual "Mama's Gone Goodbye," the obscure "Lavender Blue," a lengthy "Lonesome Road," and
J.C. Higginbotham's "Give Me Your Telephone Number." ~ Scott Yanow