George Lewis With Guest Artist Red Allen

AMG Review of George Lewis With Guest Artist Red Allen

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

In 1951, clarinetist George Lewis was on the brink of gaining fame beyond his wildest dreams and becoming a symbol of the New Orleans revival movement; however, he had not yet settled on a regular trumpeter for his group. Elmer Talbert had departed, Percy Humphrey would join up later in the year, and by 1953 Lewis would finally settle on the erratic but spirited Kid Howard. Lewis tended to adjust his style depending on who was the lead horn, so his playing on this particular CD is quite interesting. Ten songs find his group sounding a bit like the Kid Ory band; this was due to the solid and occasionally exciting trumpeter Alvin Alcorn. Alcorn and Lewis made for a fine team, making one wish that they had collaborated much more in the future (there would be a 1958 Verve LP). Highlights include "Dippermouth Blues," "Long Way to Tipperary," "Big Butter and Egg Man," and "Weary Blues." However, the main reason to acquire this CD is for five performances in which the group is joined by trombonist Jim Robinson and the great trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen. Allen had worked with Lewis back in the 1920s and he was a very different player for the band. Allen's powerful solos, dominant ensemble playing, and pure brilliance uplifted the whole group, and Lewis rose to the occasion. There are two versions of "St. James Infirmary" (with Allen's vocals) but the high points are the rambunctious versions of "Darktown Strutters' Ball," "Hindustan," and "Some of These Days." Trad fans will definitely want to hear the intriguing Lewis/Allen band.