Cornetist
Warren Vache,
Alan Barnes (on baritone, alto, and clarinet), and
Tony Coe (switching between soprano, tenor, and clarinet) team up on this CD with pianist
Brian Lemon, guitarist
Dave Cliff, bassist Dave Green, and either
Allan Ganley or
Clark Tracey on drums.
Coe is the wild card on the set, for not only is he more modern than the other mainstream players, but he often plays his weakest axe: an occasionally out of tune soprano. Still, with
Vache's beautiful tone and some worthy frameworks (including beginning the two versions of "Shine" without the rhythm section), this set has its moments of interest. Among the better selections are "Drop Me Off in Harlem," "Pee Wee's Blues,"
Duke Ellington's "Purple Gazelle," and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore." ~ Scott Yanow