What a treat to find yet another volume in the treasured series of albums taken from Lester Young's appearance late in 1956 at Olivia Davis's Patio Lounge, where he enjoyed the company and support of pianist Bill Potts's trio. On this collection, comprised entirely of previously unissued material, the bandstand is also graced with the presence of Earl Swope, one of the first modern trombone stylists and a section-mate of the great Bill Harris in Woody Herman's Second Herd. The spirit is positive throughout, giving further evidence that Young's final years were not the period of unrelieved depression that is frequently depicted in historical commentary. While the program is weighted heavily with Pres's favorite blues themes, these are the life-affirming blues of a still-vital jazz giant.

with Earl Swope, Bill Potts, Norman Williams, Jim Lucht