This 100 song collection spread out over 4 cds has the pioneer in a variety of settings, ranging from full fisted and spread finger solo work like “Pretty Baby”, “Hallelujah” and “Caprice Rag” to him leading an “Orchestra” through pieces as “The Romp” and “Hoity Toity”.
The earliest pieces have him in a variety of settings, with a bit of primitive sound on “Wipe “em Off” and “Shim Sham Shimmy Dance” with Jug bands from Seven Gallon and Clarence Williams respectively. He teams with clarinetist Mezz Mezzrow for a stomping “ Apologies” and sublime “I’s A Muggin’” and later on with the wide vibrato of Sidney Bechet for some swinging “Limehouse Blues” and “Twelfth Street Rag”. Trumpeter Max Kaminsky blasts out with Smith on “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams” before Big Joe Turner shouts the blues on “Careless Love” and “Doggin’ The Dog” . Smaller units like his Cubs include energetic reads of “Swing, Brother, Swing” and “Harlem Joys”.
Smith’s fingers dance with joyful abandon throughout, and while his playing preceded The Swing Era, his adaptation to the new “craze” had him feeling completely comfortable. Along with James P. Johnson and Earl Hines, Smith is one of the heads on the Piano Mt. Rushmore. You’ll stride right with this set.