In the 1920’s Mr. “The Lion” Smith was ranked up there with Fats Waller (and his eyebrows) as a stride piano king. He was playing up until the early ‘70s so he was a link between the glory days of early jazz and the next generations of musicians. This is great stuff, glorious, fun, liquidly cool duets (track 7 is the only exception, it’s just Smith).

1. Jumpin’ midtempo swing w/nice flair & some talking, la-la-ing.
2. Midtempo, bright and tripping version of a Berlin classic.
*3. Starts mid, picks way up into a fast, fabulous tour-de-force. So good!
4. Starts slowish, gets mid, nice interplay and great keywork.
*5. Everybody Charleston! Nicely retro classic.
*6. Bright & bouncy with a warm charm.
*7. Smith goes solo – upbeat, tripping, entirely captivating.
8. Nicely tinny homage w/great technique. Midtempo.
9. Relaxed and fluid w/a touch of drama & emotion.
*10. An upbeat jump that showcases how well they play together.
11. Like an old Vaudeville love song. Sweet, relaxed, old-fashioned.
12. Mid/upbeat jump w/some fast fingerwork & lots of style.
13. Lazily warm w/some perkier bits near end.
*14. Solid rag w/lots of tripping interplay. Fun & catchy.