Art Hodes: Jazz Alley, Vol. 3 [DVD]

The first half is 'After Hours', which features four top musicians, Smokey Stover (Tr), JC Hickenbothom (Trom), Tony Parenti (Cl) and a surprise, the one and only Eddie Condon (Bjo) alongside Art Hodes, and his regular drummer Harry Hawthorn and bass player RL (Rails) Wilson. Certainly is delightful to hear jazz played as it should be. Art starts the show with a conversation with the bartender, describing all the players, and then joins them. OK, they play to an empty house, but the music is wonderful.Then the second half is devoted to Barney Bigard, (Cl), with Bob Cousins (Dr) and Rails Wilson (Bass). They play to a full and very appreciative house, and the ladies' hairstyles and the gentlemen's fashion gives the show away that it was filmed in the late '50s. But this does not detract from the wonderful music. One particular and very notable item is 'High Society' which is a clarinet feature. Art carries the full backing while Barney adds the full clarinet virtuoso on top. Delicious. I have watched and listened to this particular DVD many times, and every time is a delight. I can't recommend it more!