AMG Review of Fabulous Joe Venuti

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

This CD reissue, which does not give the recording dates, brings back material recorded by the immortal jazz violinist Joe Venuti during his visits to Italy in 1971 and 1974. The former material was out domestically on a Vanguard LP (along with a few other cuts), but the latter is more obscure. In both cases, the violinist teams up with a group assembled by guitarist Lino Patruno, which at times has several horns (including baritone and flute) and a swinging rhythm section. Although the Italian players are fine, Joe Venuti is the main star on such numbers as "After You've Gone," "Jazz Me Blues," "Clementine," "Indiana" and a five-song Gershwin medley. Swinging and sometimes heated music.