AMG Review of Dukes of Dixieland

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

The Dukes of Dixieland first recorded in 1951 and made a few scattered sides through 1953, but this RCA album was the first one of their releases to really gain a lot of attention. The only Dukes album with Pete Fountain on clarinet (he was briefly a member of the band before going on to gain his own fame), this sextet set also features trumpeter Frank Assunto, trombonist Fred Assunto and a three-piece rhythm section. Of the 11 dixieland standards (plus "Blue Prelude") that are performed, the rendition of "Panama" is a classic and other highlights include "At the Jazz Band Ball," "That's a Plenty," "Fidgety Feet" and "Original Dixieland One-Step." This date is a must for dixieland collectors.