Search - Zoot Sims, Harry Edison :: Just Friends

Fine swing from two masters

William Faust | Columbus, Ohio | 11/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While Zoot & Sweets did record together during their "peak" years in the late 1950's, to my knowledge they never cut an LP where they were the two prime movers as Edison did with Ben Webster (see Ben and Sweets). At least not until this Pablo (ie. Norman Granz) session from 1978. But it was worth the wait. This disc features Edison and Sims backed by only a rhythm section and trading riffs over 8 charts and 42 minutes of music. Granted, neither is in top form and I think Zoot outshines Sweets in this outing, but there's still plenty of creativity and swinging to go around. On a few tunes Roger Kellaway opts for an electric piano which gives it "that 70's feeling" but otherwise it's a solid collection of standards, blues and ballads. Recommended if you like the small group swing genre."