This is a fine straight forward set from the mid-50s that is led by one of the most original guitarists to come up in that era from the late 40s to the 50s and beyond. The set is not music that is re-inventing the wheel or pushing the envelope but it has it's own kind of basic swing, melodic invention and creativity. Guitarist Raney appears here with his musical soul-mate, valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer and these two very talented and musical gentlemen combine forces in this wonderfully unpretentious disc recorded in New York in 1956. A wise selection of standards that are well chosen and two original compositions each by Raney and Brookmeyer make up the 8 selections. The stellar rhythm section consists of Dick Katz on piano, Teddy Kotick on bass and Osie Johnson on drums for the first 4 tunes and Katz is replaced on the final 4 by the venerable Hank Jones. Jimmy Raney and Bob Brookmeyer were great friends and they make music that reflects this fact. Enjoy!
