The Greatest Horn In The World – AL HIRT****

Stompin’ At The Savoy/Begin The Beguine/Let’s Do It/Sweet Sue Just You/Undecided/I’m On My Way/Out Of Nowhere/Georgia On My Mind/Stella By Starlight/Willow Weep For Me/What’s New/Ava

The boastful title from trumpet virtuoso Al Hirt was undoubtedly true in the early 1960s. The Greatest Horn In The World became his first American chart album. (US:21)

“The Dorseys' trumpet virtuoso was discovered by a much wider audience when the Dixieland master became an instrumental pop star in the '60s.”

“This is Al Hirt's best album. He is freed from the restrictive Dixieland sound but had not yet had his big hits, so the sound is less commercial. On the first six songs he is backed by a 'big band' with a traditional swing sound, and on the last six he is backed by a group that includes strings for a more modern sound. I prefer the second group.”

“Broken down into two sections, the A side being Hirt backed by a conventional twenty piece big band, side B contains twelve strings, four trombones, a baritone sax and a rhythm section of seven. While there are a few good tracks on this one, (mostly on side A) the overall work is lacklustre.”

“He was a virtuoso with a technical brilliance that could be dazzling, who left behind a musical legacy heavily weighted toward his main love - Dixieland. A lot of music fans will always wonder if he should have spent more time with traditional jazz, or even classical music, but it was his choice to make and that's as it should be.”

“I feel Al Hirt is often overlooked when legendary trumpeters are discussed, which is unfortunate. As a musician he was top notch technically in his prime, while also being a master interpreter of song. This is a combination that is often hard to come by and shouldn't be underestimated.” “His large-bore tone, his technical playing skills, the romance and the sense of humour he applies to his style is totally timeless, brilliant and intelligent.”

“Al's power and technical ability just bowls over even the most advanced listeners/players who can appreciate his talent and expertise. Al's real talent came from showmanship, his likeable style and light to catchy pop and Dixieland themes.”