Willis "Gator" Jackson

This 14-track entry from Delmark's Apollo series provides a useful roundup of tenor saxophonist Willis Jackson's earliest recordings as a leader. The set of jump blues and stomping R&B instrumentals showcases the young leader's hard-honking, leering style. Still a teenager at the time, Jackson recorded the performances for the New York-based Apollo label in 1949 and 1950, shortly after he came to prominence as a member of trumpeter Cootie Williams' band. While he seems made to measure for the role of "blowin' motherf*cker," Jackson's ballad playing reveals a more sophisticated player with a smoky Ben Webster style. This side of Jackson -- which became more evident later in his career -- comes across most notably on the ballad "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" and in the unhurried lope of "More Blues at Midnight." The players with Jackson are likeminded practitioners of good-time, bluesy backbeats, including pianist Bill Doggett and drummer Panama Francis. Two tracks feature Jackson with the Bobby Smith Orchestra and vocalist Eddie Mack, who reflects unrepentantly on the timeless themes of money, women, and drink. An unidentified guitarist (possibly Leroy Kirkland) on one of the Smith tracks contributes a brief swinging solo in the style of Tiny Grimes that proves to be one of the disc's high points. The medium-paced title track is another highlight. The 1992 CD of Call of the Gators includes seven previously unissued tracks, four of which offer no substantial variation on the original versions also included on the CD. ~ Jim Todd, All Music Guide