AMG Review of Beverly Caverns Sessions, Vol. 2

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

The second of two previously unreleased CDs of material from performances in Hollywood by clarinetist George Lewis' band in 1953 is not quite on the same level as his first volume. This 1996 CD finds trumpeter Kid Howard a bit erratic and Lewis occasionally out of tune, but the music still has its strong moments. Trombonist Jim Robinson is typically reliable, the rhythm section (pianist Alton Purnell, banjoist Lawrence Marrero, bassist Alcide "Slow Drag" Pavasgeau, and drummer Joe Watkins) is quite strong and some of the more rewarding performances include "In Gloryland," "Red Wing," "Panama," and "When the Saints Go Marching In" (a song that the group really "owned"). But Vol. 1 definitely has the edge.