Earl Hines made up for a lack of recording opportunities as a leader during the 1950s with a surge of recordings during a revival that began in the 1960s and continued until his death. This 1974 solo piano concert finds
Hines in typically strong form, indulging in showy but swinging performances of songs he loved. His take of "Memories of You" is full of fancy flourishes, while he also responds to a request for a pair of obscure
Arthur Johnston/George W. Meyer songs by combining them in a medley and adding a pleasant vocal. The original LP concluded with his driving romp through "Perdido," though this CD reissue adds an extensive medley of songs from the vast repertoire of
Duke Ellington, long a personal favorite of
Hines. This intimate live recording is well worth acquiring. ~ Ken Dryden