AMG Review of Verve Jazz Masters 55

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Although he has surprisingly few CDs currently available, Harry James remains one of the world's most famous trumpeters, more than a decade after his death. This Verve CD is a sampler of his MGM recordings of 1959-64 and, although the claim in the liner notes that this was James' most creative period is nonsense, he does sound versatile and in consistently fine form on the wide-ranging set. Whether it be swing standards, challenging charts by Ernie Wilkins and Ralph Burns (including two that were previously unissued) or a tribute to Louis Armstrong on "Cornet Chop Suey," James is in fine form.