Although it has been written much too often that
Lester Young declined rapidly from the mid-'40s on, the truth is that when he was healthy,
Young played at his very best during the '50s, adding an emotional intensity to his sound that had not been present during the more carefree days of the '30s. This classic session, a reunion with pianist
Teddy Wilson and drummer
Jo Jones (bassist
Gene Ramey completes the quartet), finds the great tenor in particularly expressive form. His rendition of "Prisoner of Love" is quite haunting, the version of "All of Me" is also memorable, and all of the swing standards (which are joined by his original "Pres Returns") are well worth hearing. This date (which has been reissued on CD) was recorded the day after
Young's other classic from his late period, Jazz Giants '56. ~ Scott Yanow