Patcha, Patcha All Night Long

by Scott YanowThis CD reissue, which is subtitled "Joe Turner Meets Jimmy Witherspoon," does not quite deliver on its promise. Turner (who would pass away within a year) and Witherspoon only actually meet up on the first two numbers and, other than some interplay on "Patcha, Patcha," the matchup generates few sparks. However the individual features (two songs apiece) are excellent, particularly Witherspoon's "You Got Me Runnin"' and Turner's "The Chicken and the Hawk." In addition there are many fine solos from altoist Red Holloway, Lee Allen on tenor and guitarist Gary Bell. This is a worthwhile and obviously historic set, recommended as much to blues as jazz collectors.