This CD, the first of two taken from the great Dixieland cornetist
Wild Bill Davison's collaborations with Papa Bue Jensen's Viking Jazzband in Copenhagen, features Wild Bill in a perfect setting. He is joined by a supportive but stimulating four-piece rhythm section, clarinetist Joren Svare, trombonist Jensen (who sometimes recalls
Kid Ory), and on one song, the
Budd Johnson-inspired tenor
Bent Jaedig. The music is primarily swing and Dixieland standards (along with a couple of blues), and the performances find Davison in prime form. The first nine selections (from Feb. 10, 1974) were out on LP before, but the final four numbers were previously unreleased. Highlights include a lengthy "Christopher Columbus," "Runnin' Wild,"
Davison's vocal on "Save It Pretty Mama," "China Boy," a dramatic "When It's Sleepy Time Down South" and an emotional version of "Memories of You." This set is highly recommended, as is Vol. 2. ~ Scott Yanow