From Spirituals to Swing: Carnegie Hall Concerts 1938/1939 [Columbia]

Although this John Hammond-produced concert was billed as the "30th Anniversary," it actually took place 28 years after his original Spirituals to Swing concert. Count Basie, Big Joe Turner and an obviously ill Pete Johnson were back from the earlier event. The two-LP set has spirituals (Marion Williams), blues (Big Mama Thornton and Turner), new stars (George Benson and John Handy) and a few swing all-stars (including trumpeter Buck Clayton, clarinetist Edmond Hall and tenor-saxophonist Buddy Tate). The spirited program certainly holds one's interest, making this a two-fer worth acquiring.