- Format: CD
- Label: Fantasy
- Genre: Jazz
Roy Eldridge, age 64 when this album was taped in 1975, remained the concentrated musical life-force that his nickname implied. Little Jazz was still an international touring attraction with producer Norman Granz, and was also in the midst of a decade in which he led the house band at Jimmy Ryan's. The sextet heard here is the unit he fronted nightly at the Manhattan club. There is an almost documentary quality to the set, which Eldridge produced and arranged with keen attention to pacing and detail. The All-Stars, including two other strong horn players and a powerful rhythm section, add a positive groove born of shared experience and a most affirmative, fresh attitude. The program (enhanced with three alternate takes) and several Eldridge vocals give the album a strong Louis Armstrong stamp. All this plus the magisterial Eldridge horn create a wonderful view of a jazz giant at his autumnal best. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea, St. James Infirmary, Beale Street Blues, Black And Blue; Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing); Wynola, Cute, Bourbon Street Parade, All of Me, Last Call at Jimmy Ryan's, plus CD bonus tracks Black And Blue (Alternate), Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea (Alternate), Last Call at Jimmy Ryan's (Alternate) with Joe Muranyi, Bobby Pratt, Dick Katz, Major Holley, Eddie Locke
