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Title: AN INTRIGUING ASSORTMENT OF BITS AND PIECES
Review: I find it odd that all but three of the tracks include Joe's partner Eddie Lang, who died during 1933, and yet he's not mentioned in the title. Nor are the tracks presented in any type of order, from which we could have traced the development of Venuti's small studio groups. It dates from 1989 but there are only fourteen tracks, which was short order even then.The discography lacks essential details, but indicates the inclusion of three unissued takes (Hey! Young Fella"; "Wild Cat"; and "Jig Saw Puzzle Blues"). There's no mention of the fact that ""Satan's Holiday" was recorded in London, nor that "Hiawatha's Lullaby" was never issued in America.The music itself is delightful, not least for the inclusion on seven numbers of that giant of the bass sax Adrian Rollini, and if you just want a sampler of what Venuti (and Lang) were about then this will not disappoint. But for a comprehensive account you should look elsewhere.
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