Hootie! (Live)

Like many of producer Hank O'Neal's jazz cruises recorded aboard the S. S. Norway, this live set by pianist Jay McShann is a delight from start to finish. The blues veteran is in great form as he devotes nearly half of the release to his trio, which includes bassist Keter Betts and drummer Jackie Williams, and occasionally lightly sings along. The opener, "Cruisin' the Blues," features McShann's lively yet economical style of playing, along with a fine solo by Betts, while his lush interpretation of the old chestnut "Moonlight in Vermont" achieves a new degree of romanticism. But many fans will devour the appearances with special guests. Phil Woods, the greatest living alto saxophonist, sits in during McShann's sauntering blues "Kewpie Doll" and a rollicking take of Charlie Parker's "Yardbird Suite." Tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips, in his eighties (as was the leader) at the time of the performance, jointly improvises with McShann the strutting "Flippin' the Blues," and they follow it up with a swinging "All of Me." Phillips' impressive blowing belies his age during the timeless ballad "As Time Goes By" and an energetic "Sweet Georgia Brown." David "Fathead" Newman sits in for two McShann originals, the funky "Crazy Legs and Friday Strut" and the gospel-tinged "Moanin' Blues." Too bad there's no video of this music. Highly recommended.