Clarinetist
Barney Bigard's final recording (cut four years before his death) is perhaps more notable for the name of his group and the cover drawing (of three pelicans playing jazz) than it is for the music. The performances of mostly swing standards (along with three standards) is fine, but the group (consisting of
Bigard, pianist
Duke Burrell and drummer
Barry Martyn) would have certainly benefited from the inclusion of a bassist, while the three vocals (two by
Burrell and one by
Martyn) do not help much. In general,
Bigard is in good form and, despite the lack of any real adventure, the music is pleasing and swinging.