Reunion

Trombonist Jimmy Archey was not from New Orleans and spent most of his career playing swing or Dixieland, but late in life he became associated with the New Orleans revival. In 1967 he was given the rare opportunity to lead his own session, teaming up with New Orleans veterans trumpeter Punch Miller (who he had not seen in decades), clarinetist Albert Burbank, and drummer Sammy Penn, plus two members of Big Bill Bissonnette's Easy Riders Jazz Band: banjoist Dick Griffith and bassist Mouldy Dick McCarthy. The music (which has vocals by Miller, Burbank, or Penn on eight of the 13 songs) is ragged New Orleans jazz with many ensembles and solos more notable for their spirit than their musicianship. Both Miller and Archey were past their prime at this point, but still had something joyous to contribute to the music. The results are fun if far from flawless.