AMG Review of Live! In Chicago

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

The tenor-saxophonist is heard in a surprisingly sparse setting for this live set, in a trio with organist Eddie Buster and drummer Gerald Donovan, two Chicago-based musicians. Ammons performs standards, blues and ballads, sounding at his best on an emotional "Please Send Me Someone to Love" and a hard-charging "Sweet Georgia Brown." This is one of many Gene Ammons recordings from the 1961-62 period; virtually all are worth getting. The CD reissue adds two previously unreleased selections to the original program.