Apex Blues

by Scott YanowThis CD reissues the first dozen selections from clarinetist Jimmie Noone's Apex Club Orchestra (all of the numbers with pianist Earl Hines, although not the four alternate takes), plus eight slightly later numbers. Noone had an unusual quintet/sextet in which altoist Joe Poston constantly stated the melody (but never actually had any solos), giving the band a unique sound for the period. Many of Noone's greatest recordings are on this CD (including "I Know That You Know," "Four or Five Times," "Apex Blues," "My Monday Date," "Sweet Lorraine," and "My Daddy Rocks Me With One Steady Roll"), although serious collectors will prefer to get the more complete two CDs from the Classics label instead.