Personnel: Luckey Roberts, Willie "The Lion" Smith (pianos).
Personnel: Luckey Roberts (piano).
Recording information: New York, NY (03/18/1958).
Photographer: Lee Friedlander.
Despite his talents as a pioneering stride pianist, Luckey Roberts only led three recording sessions in his long career. The second date (which comprises half of this CD reissue) ranks up there with his earlier Solo Art set. Roberts performs six originals on this release, none of which (including "Nothin'," "Inner Space," and "Outer Space") are particularly known, although traditional jazz pianists would be well advised to explore these pieces. The second half of the release features the equally distinctive Willie "The Lion" Smith on six piano solos of his own, including five originals (highlighted by "Relaxin'" and "Concentratin'") and the standard "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea." Wonderful and classic music. ~ Scott Yanow
