Album Review

Steve Loewy [allmusic.com]

This two-CD compilation is a straight reissue of a difficult-to-find three-LP set released on Epic Records in 1963. Spanning the years 1928-1940, the collection presents a good selection of Teagarden's early work, in which he often served as a sideman in major orchestras, including those of Ben Pollack, Benny Goodman, Frankie Trumbauer, and Bud Freeman, all of whom are represented here. The masterful Teagarden was an American original whose style and vocals epitomized authenticity both in their execution and sound. Even at the earliest stages of his career, he exhibited an extraordinarily elastic and modern technical facility with his lips and slide. His later mature style was rooted in the 1930s, and these tracks display the evolution of licks that he would return to over and over again during his career. Teagarden solos or sings (often both) on every track, and the listener is left with the impression of a relaxed, spectacularly talented trombonist who consistently produces music at the highest levels. Sometimes the compositions and arrangements do not match his talent, but for the most part the players with whom he was associated during this period were among the best in the industry. Among the classic tunes performed are ''When You're Smiling,'' ''I'll Be Glad When You're Dead (You Rascal You,'' ''Ain't Misbehaving,'' and ''I'm an Old Cowhand.'' [review is for the 2CD release version]