This CD reissues a studio date that tenor saxophonist
Johnny Griffin and his quintet (trumpeter
Dave Burns, pianist
Norman Simmons, bassist
Vic Sproles and drummer
Ben Riley) performed before an invited and enthusiastic studio audience, who provided atmosphere. Babs Gonzales introduces several of the numbers, but proves to be an unnecessary presence. However,
Griffin in particular plays quite well in this loose straight-ahead setting;
Burns shows that he was always a very underrated trumpeter; and the five lengthy selections are all worth hearing. The best are "Good Bait" (which is almost 12½ minutes long), "Toe-Tappin'," and "Low Gravy."