Most of cornetist
Ernie Carson's recordings have been made with Dixieland bands, making this quintet outing, on which he is the only horn, a particular delight. The colorful brassman (whose tone and expressive emotions sometimes recall
Wild Bill Davison) is joined by a four-piece piano-banjo-tuba-drums rhythm section on 11 diverse songs that perfectly fit his lyrical yet extroverted style. Highlights include "I Double Dare You," "If Dreams Come True," "Flat Foot" and his own "My Cross-Eyed Cutie."
Carson and banjoist
Bill Rutan take two harmless and spirited vocals apiece, but it is for the leader's cornet that this set is most memorable.