This entry in the Jazz Crusade
Rare Cuts: Well Done series consists of a pair of unrelated sessions that were previously unreleased. The first ten selections have New Orleans altoist Captain John Handy emphasizing his clarinet playing in a 1965 sextet that also features trumpeter
Alvin Alcorn and pianist/singer
Dave "Fatman" Williams. Truth be told, Handy is more powerful on alto (as he shows on "Blues of New Orleans"), although his clarinet playing is certainly full of spirit. The music ranges from New Orleans jazz to R&B. The remainder of this CD is a noisily recorded set of radio airchecks featuring trombonist
Jimmy Archey heading a sextet also featuring trumpeter Henry Goodwin (who is in excellent form), clarinetist
Benny Waters, and the young pianist
Dick Wellstood. This was a hyper group, a little reminiscent of the DeParis brothers, and the bandmembers certainly loved to play tunes at very fast tempos. Even "Just a Gigolo," which starts out as a ballad, doubles its tempo and gets roaring. It is a pity that the recording quality is not better, but the music will still be enjoyed by fans of revival New Orleans jazz. ~ Scott Yanow