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AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow awarded the album four and half stars, stating:”Don Byas was one of the great tenor saxophonists of the 1940s, a Coleman Hawkins-influenced improviser who developed a complex style of his own. His permanent move to Europe in 1946 cut short any chance he had of fame, but Byas recorded many worthy performances during the two years before his departure. On Classics’ first Don Byas CD (which contains his first 21 numbers as a leader), Byas matches wits and power with trumpeter Charlie Shavers on two heated sessions that include pianist Clyde Hart and bassist Slam Stewart. He also plays swing with trumpeter Joe Thomas and pianist Johnny Guarnieri in a 1945 quintet and leads a quartet that, on four of its eight numbers, welcomes the great blues guitarist/singer Big Bill Broonzy. This music was originally put out by Savoy, Jamboree, and Hub. Highly recommended.”

Track listing:
00:00 1 Don Byas Orchestra– Riffin’ And Jivin’
02:57 2 Don Byas Orchestra– Free And Easy
05:49 3 Don Byas Orchestra– Worried ‘N Blue
09:04 4 Don Byas Orchestra– Don’s Idea
11:58 5 Don Byas Orchestra– Savoy Jam Party – Part 2
15:11 6 Don Byas Orchestra– Savoy Jam Party – Part 1
18:10 7 Don Byas Orchestra– 1944 Stomp
21:12 8 Don Byas Orchestra– What Do You Want With My Heart
24:13 9 Don Byas Orchestra– Bass C Jam
27:06 10 Don Byas All Star Quintet– Pennies From Heaven
30:18 11 Don Byas All Star Quintet– Should I?
32:55 12 Don Byas All Star Quintet– You Call It Madness, But I Call It Love
35:48 13 Don Byas All Star Quintet– Jamboree Jump
38:41 14 Don Byas And Orchestra– Double Talk
42:11 15 Don Byas Quartet–Fruit Salad
45:12 16 Don Byas Quartet–Don Juan
48:03 17 Don Byas Quartet–Spots
51:01 18 Don Byas Quartet–Please Believe Me
Vocals – Big Bill Broonzy
53:49 19 Don Byas Quartet–Why Did You Do That To Me
Vocals – Big Bill Broonzy
56:53 20 Little Sam And Orchestra– You Got To Play Your Hand
Vocals – Big Bill Broonzy
01:00:12 21 Little Sam And Orchestra– Just A Dream
Vocals – Big Bill Broonzy

Personnel:

Alto Saxophone – Rudy Williams (tracks: 5 to 9)
Bass – Billy Taylor Sr. (tracks: 10 to 13), John Levy (tracks: 14 to 21), Slam Stewart (tracks: 1 to 9)
Drums – Cozy Cole (tracks: 10 to 13), Jack “The Bear” Parker* (tracks: 1 to 9), Slick Jones (tracks: 14 to 21)
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy (tracks: 18 to 21)
Liner Notes – Anatol Schenker
Piano – Johnny Guarnieri (tracks: 10 to 13), Kenny Watts (tracks: 14 to 21)
Piano, Celesta – Clyde Hart (tracks: 1 to 9)
Tenor Saxophone – Don Byas
Trumpet – Charlie Shavers (tracks: 1 to 9), Joe Thomas (tracks: 10 to 13)
Written-By – Arthur Freed (tracks: 11), Arthur Johnston (tracks: 10), Big Bill Broonzy (tracks: 18 to 21), Con Conrad (tracks: 12), Don Byas (tracks: 1 to 9, 13 to 15, 17), Gladys DuBois (tracks: 12), Johnny Burke (tracks: 10), Nacio Herb Brown (tracks: 11), Paul Gregory (tracks: 12), Russ Columbo (tracks: 12)

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Label: Classics (11) – CLASSICS 882
Series: The Classics Chronological Series – 882
Country: France
Released: 1996