Jazz At Preservation Hall is a great recording from New Orleans' George Lews – caught here after his big return to fame in the late 40s and 50s – but still sounding great! Lewis' clarinet is very firmly in the lead, and gets plenty of room to solo – especially on the album's quartet numbers. A few tracks feature a larger lineup with more nice horn work – from Kid Howard on trumpet and Jim Robinson on trombone – and the rhythms have a great punctuated quality throughout – very well-recorded, with a nice kick that really inspires the solos. Titles include "Salty Dog", "Pork Chops", "Linger Awhile", and "Indian Sagua". Pure Blues is spare blues in this album from pianist Jimmy Yancey, with vocal accompaniment from his wife "Mama" on about half the tracks. Most of the tracks feature Yancey's piano backed by Israel Crosby's bass, and the sound is extremely rootsy. Titles include "How Long Blues", "Make Me A Pallet On the Floor", "Mournful Blues", and "Shave 'Em Dry". CD