Customer Reviews

Alone at the Palace

5 star:		(3)
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Venuti is an underrated master, one of the hardest swinging musicians of all time. McKenna is a perfect match, his piano playing here is is on a level with Art Tatum-maybe better. This was given to me as a gift. I can't believe how good these guys are...this CD is fantastic.

One of my personal favorites. The alternate takes of Jazz Band Ball included on the CD are better than the original LP version.

Joe Venuti's name is known to everybody who follows the music. Musicians are always telling stories about him and about his stories and practical jokes. Perhaps less familiar is his playing, going back to his 1920s recordings with Eddie Lang, the Father of Jazz Guitar. Then there's the period between the mid-30s and mid-60s when he was largely silent, in the throes of depression and alcoholism. But then came his inspiring comeback beginning about 1970 with a summit meeting with the "boss violinist," Stephane Grappelli. But he made no more scintillating recordings than those with the Father of Jazz Piano, Earl Fatha Hines, and finally this one (his very last recording date) with Dave McKenna.

McKenna lays down those patented walking bass lines of his (said to be the envy of even Art Tatum), perhaps with as strong a pulse as he's capable of, and Joe simply thrives on it, inspired to play at his very best on his final recording. And when Joe is through with his solo, there's not the least hint of a let up. That left hand keeps pumping out deep, resonant, creative bass lines while the right hand simultaneously ventures into melodic territory all its own.

There are other duo recordings, many of which dispense with the explicit contributions of a rhythm section. What's unique about this recording is that it doesn't.