Having a Wonderful Time

AMG Review of Having a Wonderful Time

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

The Clambake Seven was a small Dixieland-oriented group taken out of Tommy Dorsey's big band. Its main period was during 1935-39 although the leader-trombonist occasionally revived the concept in later years. This CD is an exact reissue of an original 16-song LP and has many of the group's finest recordings, all but 1946's "Don't Be a Baby, Baby" dating from 1935-40. With such hot soloists as trumpeters Sterling Bose, Max Kaminsky, Pee Wee Erwin and Yank Lawson, clarinetists Joe Dixon and Johnny Mince, tenor saxophonist Bud Freeman and TD plus many vocals by Edythe Wright, the Clambake Seven can be heard at their best on this program which is highlighted by "The Music Goes 'Round and 'Round" "At the Codfish Ball," "When the Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves for Alabam'," "Chinatown, My Chinatown," "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" and "Rancho Grande." Recommended.