Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Light And Lovely download free

This is a fine outing by Lockjaw. He is paired with his frequent stablemate, Sweets Edison, and both are in great form. Gerry Wiggins plays piano, and contributes inspired comping and solos. Lockjaw has "The Good Life" to himself; he opens with an extended unaccompanied improvisation, and moves into a rich interpretation of the ballad. This is followed by Jobim's "Meditation" in a version that opens with a ruminative statement from Lockjaw, and then breaks into a solid swing tempo divien by Major Holley's walking bass and inspires hot, companct solos from Sweets and Lockjaw. "Land of Dreams" features a muscular, swinging solo from Lockjaw, followed by a crisp, cool toned burner from Sweets. For those of us who are less than fond of Holley's bowed, vocalized solos, your patience is only tested on "Land of Dreams" and a reasonably brief intro to "Light and Lovely." The disc ends with a spirited romp through "Just Friends" that will leave you grinning. As the years have gone by, I've come to appreciate Lockjaw as the truest heir of Coleman Hawkins. This album shares much of the spirit of Hawk's late Impulse recordings. Highly recommended.