Hot Lips Page - Pagin' Mr. Page (CD)

All Music Guide

Some would undercut Page's greatness by merely calling him an Armstrong imitator who spent more time singing than blowing. But this best-of overview shows him to be a fine bandleader, with charm aplenty and chops to blow the walls down. Kicking off with Bennie Moten's 1932 "Moten's Swing," the set also includes Page's own sides from 1938 and 1940 with Buster Smith, Don Byas, and Pete Johnson, and even throws in his 1938 stint with the Basie band. Also along are trio sides with Teddy Bunn, jam sessions with Eddie Condon, his big-band work with Artie Shaw, as well as a 1944 V-Disc session. A well thought out selection that makes a strong case for the trumpeter.

- Cub Koda, All Music Guide