This single CD from 1998 has all of the music from boogie-woogie pianist Meade Lux Lewis' two Verve LPs of 1954-55. The earlier date is a set of duets with drummer Louie Bellson, while the later session finds Lewis accompanied by bassist Red Callender and drummer Jo Jones. The packaging is perfect, and with 76½ minutes of playing, the amount of music is generous. The only problem is that there is a definite sameness to the 14 selections (which mostly clock in between four and seven minutes), the majority of which are medium-tempo blues romps. None of the melodies (all Lewis originals) are at all memorable. The romping momentum of the music overall is difficult to resist, but it is advisable to listen to this set in small doses. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Louie Bellson (Drums), Jo Jones (Drums), Chris Albertson (Liner Notes), Norman Granz (Producer), Red Callender (Bass), Meade "Lux" Lewis (Piano), Meade "Lux" Lewis (Main Performer), Peter Pullman (Editing), David Stone Martin (Cover Design), Ben Young (Research), Ben Young (Supervisor), Ben Young (Restoration), Patricia Lie (Director), Patricia Lie (Design), Tom Greenwood (Production Coordination), Sung Lee (Director), Sung Lee (Design), Suzanne White (Design Coordinator), Robert Parent (Photography)
