Willie The Lion Smith, Willie Smith - Willie Smith: Alto Sax All-Time Great (His 48 finest 1934-1956) (2020)

Willie Smith (1910-1967) stands alongside Johnny Hodges and Benny Carter as one of the three great alto saxophone players of the pre-Charlie Parker generation yet this is the first double CD devoted to his formidable artistry. Retrospective's tribute to this towering figure in jazz history presents a 48-track survey that tracks his extraordinary career from sax-section leader in the 30s to high-flying soloist in the 50s, opening with 10 classics from his 13 years as one of the big stars of the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra (Uptown Blues). He then joined Harry James' band for many years, where his sensationally spectacular solo gifts perfectly matched James' incomparable trumpet dash (10 prime examples include I'm Confessin'). A superb trio stem from his 1951 year with Duke Ellington (Please Be Kind), along with several exciting extracts from his many famous live performances with Jazz At The Philharmonic (How High The Moon). In addition, virtually all (a glorious dozen) of the small group recordings he led in 1945/7 are featured (Tea For Two), as well as a rare quartet of quartet numbers with Nat King Cole as 'The Keynoters'. Here is an album that demands a place in every jazz lover's collection.

Review
"With detailed discographies and informative notes by Digby Fairweather this is... an overdue and fitting tribute to an unfairly neglected musician" --John White, Jazz Journal

The album title certainly makes a sweeping statement and I'm not qualified to disagree. However, it is a claim which might take some living up to. Hyperbole or not, there is plenty to enjoy in this set… My feeling is that the second disk will be of most interest to jazz aficionados, including as it does The Young Man with a Horn, Perdido and Cotton Tail in the repertoire. The CD booklet is enhanced with an informative essay from the very knowledgeable Digby Fairweather, which for me is the icing on this entertaining jazz cake. --Jazz Rag

Tracklist:
1-1. Willie Smith - Rhythm Is Our Business (03:14)
1-2. Willie Smith - Sophisticated Lady (03:08)
1-3. Willie Smith - Rose Room (03:02)
1-4. Willie Smith - Sleepy Time Gal (03:12)
1-5. Willie Smith - Avalon (03:03)
1-6. Willie Smith - Ain't She Sweet? (02:30)
1-7. Willie Smith - Uptown Blues (02:55)
1-8. Willie Smith - Blue Blazes (02:52)
1-9. Willie Smith - What's Your Story, Morning Glory? (03:13)
1-10. Willie Smith - Blues In the Night (02:39)
1-11. Willie Smith - I'm Confessin' That I Love You (03:24)
1-12. Willie Smith - How High the Moon (02:18)
1-13. Willie Smith - September In the Rain (03:08)
1-14. Willie Smith - You Oughta Be In Pictures (02:40)
1-15. Willie Smith - Willie, Weep for Me (03:06)
1-16. Willie Smith - Moten Swing (03:03)
1-17. Willie Smith - It's Been a Long, Long Time (03:24)
1-18. Willie Smith - I Never Knew That Roses Grew (07:53)
1-19. Willie Smith - All the Things You Are (03:04)
1-20. Willie Smith - I've Found a New Baby (02:36)
1-21. Willie Smith - Skylark (03:18)
1-22. Willie Smith - Windjammer (03:01)
1-23. Willie Smith - Who's Sorry Now? (03:32)
1-24. Willie Smith - The Way You Look Tonight (03:05)
2-1. Willie Smith - I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me (03:05)
2-2. Willie Smith - My Old Flame (03:02)
2-3. Willie Smith - Airiness a La Nat (02:37)
2-4. Willie Smith - I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good (03:17)
2-5. Willie Smith - Zanzibar (03:08)
2-6. Willie Smith - Keb-Lah (03:22)
2-7. Willie Smith - East Coast Blues (03:17)
2-8. Willie Smith - Cotton Tail (02:51)
2-9. Willie Smith - Stardust (02:18)
2-10. Willie Smith - Tuxedo Junction (06:41)
2-11. Willie Smith - No so Bop Blues (02:59)
2-12. Willie Smith - Tea for Two (03:15)
2-13. Willie Smith - Sophisticated Lady (04:14)
2-14. Willie Smith - New Two O'Clock Jump (05:20)
2-15. Willie Smith - Deep Purple (02:59)
2-16. Willie Smith - Please Be Kind (03:14)
2-17. Willie Smith - Caravan (02:55)
2-18. Willie Smith - Indian Summer (02:45)
2-19. Willie Smith - Coronation Hop (02:54)
2-20. Willie Smith - Paradise (03:42)
2-21. Willie Smith - Cool Blues (03:16)
2-22. Willie Smith - The Young Man With a Horn (02:27)
2-23. Willie Smith - Perdido (03:19)
2-24. Willie Smith - I Was a Little Too Lonely (02:58)