In the Condon Tradition

The title of this album has two meanings. The music by the septet - cornetist Ed Polcer, trombonist Bill Allred, clarinetist Tommy Gwaltney, pianist John Eaton, rhythm guitarist Steve Jordan, bassist Van Perry and drummer Barrett Deems - is very much in the style of Eddie Condon's "Chicago jazz" ensembles. Plus, Polcer had just concluded a long tenure as the head of the house band at the club Condon's. The six standards include "Nobody's Sweetheart," "My Honey's Lovin' Arms" and "Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet," and are given Dixieland-ish treatment; these renditions (ranging from six minutes to a little over eight) are long enough for there to be plenty of spontaneous solos. Originally released in 1982.