Clifford Hayes - Clifford Hayes & the Louisville Jug Bands, Vol. 3 (CD)

All Music Guide

The third of four CDs from the Austrian RST label has the final ten selections from the Dixieland Jug Blowers along with 14 by Clifford Hayes's Louisville Stompers. Although the former no longer had the powerful jug playing of Earl McDonald, the mysterious H. Clifford was a good substitute and the three-horn septet (which features two guest vocalists) certainly had plenty of spirit. The Louisville Stompers is essentially a stripped-down jugless version of the Jug Blowers, a jazz-oriented quartet comprised of violinist Clifford Hayes, trombonist Hense Grundy, pianist Johnny Gatewood and the impressive guitarist Cal Smith who makes "Blue Guitar Stomp" a classic. The final seven Stompers performances are a bit surprising for the pianist is the great Earl Hines who has a few short solos although mostly in a supporting role. All four of the CDs are easily recommended to collectors of the era for on a whole they contain the complete output of these unusual groups. - Scott Yanow, All Music Gu...ide Read more Less