This 14-track entry from
Delmark's
Apollo series provides a useful roundup of tenor saxophonist
Willis Jackson's earliest recordings as a leader. The set of
jump blues and stomping
R&B instrumentals showcases the young leader's hard-honking, leering style. Still a teenager at the time,
Jackson recorded the performances for the New York-based
Apollo label in 1949 and 1950, shortly after he came to prominence as a member of trumpeter
Cootie Williams' band. While he seems made to measure for the role of "blowin' motherf*cker,"
Jackson's
ballad playing reveals a more sophisticated player with a smoky
Ben Webster style. This side of
Jackson -- which became more evident later in his career -- comes across most notably on the
ballad "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" and in the unhurried lope of
"More Blues at Midnight." The players with
Jackson are likeminded practitioners of good-time, bluesy backbeats, including pianist
Bill Doggett and drummer
Panama Francis. Two tracks feature
Jackson with
the Bobby Smith Orchestra and vocalist
Eddie Mack, who reflects unrepentantly on the timeless themes of money, women, and drink. An unidentified guitarist (possibly
Leroy Kirkland) on one of the
Smith tracks contributes a brief swinging solo in the style of
Tiny Grimes that proves to be one of the disc's high points. The medium-paced title track is another highlight. ~ Jim Todd
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