CiTR

Tonight's Jazz feature isn't a classic but simply a fine record of a tight little band playing straight forward warm-blooded bluesy Jazz. This is the 3rd Jazz Feature of an album that was initially slagged and low-rated but upon investigation turned out much better than the initial review. Sadly in the case of Fred Jackson it turned out to be the end of his recording career for Blue Note Records. Fred was a fine tenor saxophonist and put together a good little band with Earl VanDyke on organ, Willie Jones on guitar and Wilbert "G.T." Hogan on drums. Fred wrote all the tunes and they are all basically expressions of the blues as Fred came from an R&B background. This music will warm you up on a cold November night and make you feel good. It deserved a much better reception that what it got initially. "Hootin' 'n' Tootin' " will turn the heat up but good!