Search - Teddy Wilson :: How High the Moon

The Worm in the Apple

Richard Wirtz | Knoxville, TN USA | 01/11/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is vintage Teddy Wilson, an excellent pianist who performed with Benny Goodman in Goodman's landmark 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall, and recorded successfully well into the 1950's. On this album, recorded in 1945, he is joined by Red Norvo on vibes and a skilled rhythm section featuring Remo Palmieri on guitar. Especially for a recording by a pickup group, this is really very good. Wilson brings freshness to the tunes, which are all standards except Flyin' Home, a staple of Benny Goodman's small groups.



The problem is Charlie Shavers, a journeyman trumpet player who gets a lot of air time on this album and doesn't make very good use of it. Somebody slipped up, and Shavers is too loud. His style tends to blare, so what we get, unfortunately, is some loud blaring.



Three stars for fine performances by all the other musicians."