Freddie Slack was the pianist with
Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra during part of the 1930s before becoming well known for playing boogie-woogie with
Will Bradley's band, most notably on the hit "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar." In 1941
Slack went out on his own, forming a big band that soon signed with the Capitol label. His hit recording of "Cow Cow Boogie" in 1942 with singer
Ella Mae Morse made him famous even though none of his other records caught on at the same level.
Slack's orchestra just lasted two years and, although he had a new band during 1945-1946, many of his recordings were made with small groups. With the exception of a slightly earlier four-song session for Decca, five songs that were purposely bypassed, and a 1955 album of boogie-woogie and re-creations, all of
Slack's recordings as a leader are on this three-CD set. There are 17 previously unreleased performances, including a five-song session from 1946 and three numbers from 1952. It is particularly interesting to hear the influence of bebop being felt in
Slack's playing and some of the arrangements although he mostly remained a swing stylist. While most of his sidemen are little known,
T-Bone Walker pops up on a few numbers (including two features), guitarists
Remo Palmieri,
Al Hendrickson, and
Tiny Timbrell are assets, and every vocal by
Ella Mae Morse is well worth hearing. In addition,
Johnny Mercer is a guest on several tunes. The three-fer is wrapped up by all seven recordings by drummer
Ray McKinley's long-forgotten 1942 big band, a band with trumpeters
Dick Cathcart and
Pete Candoli, valve trombonist
Brad Gowans, clarinetist
Mahlon Clark, and pianist
Lou Stein in the personnel. Overall, this is a well-conceived release of mostly obscure but worthy music. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide