Because this is a mix of solo sessions from one era (the late '40s and early '50s) and
Hot Lips Page's work in the bands of
Pete Johnson,
Chu Berry,
Teddy Wilson, and
Billie Holiday from another era (the late '30s), it's too scattered to function as an overview or as a detailed snapshot of a particular aspect of
Page's career. There's still some material here for
Page fans to enjoy, particularly as some of the tracks were previously unreleased. On the solo sides, he comes off as similar but inferior to
Louis Armstrong, though enjoyable on his own terms if comparisons with that behemoth are avoided; the interpretation of
Ravel's "La Danse" is a highlight. A young
Pearl Bailey duets with him on "Baby It's Cold Outside" and a previously unreleased alternate take of "The Hucklebuck." A young
Joe Turner is the vocalist on the
Johnson sides, and here the main collector attraction is the previously unreleased "Jump for Joy." More such goodies include a previously unreleased alternate take of "Limehouse Blues" (as part of
Berry's band); two previously unissued performances as a member of
Wilson's orchestra; and, finally, previously unavailable alternate takes of "Got an Uncle in Harlem" and "Jeety-Boad Joad" (both from 1949) and the hitherto unissued "Blow, Champ, Blow" (from 1950). ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
