Claude Thornhill - Piano and Rhythm

Claude Thornhill made a great many records as a bandleader, but relatively few as a pianist with rhythm section. As far as I can tell, there were 10, all done in November and December 1947 with backing by Barry Galbraith (guitar), Joe Shulman (bass), and Bill Exiner (drums), who were members of Thornhill's band of the time.

Columbia devoted this 1949 10-inch LP to eight of the songs. One other, "Frasquita Serenade," appeared only on a 78 that I also have and have appended as a bonus track. I don't have the final piece that Thornhill recorded. It was included on a 1950s compilation LP, but that record isn't in my collection, unfortunately.

Thornhill was a imaginative, reflective pianist who chose some unusual works for this program. The sound is excellent, except for an occasional crackle and whoosh, and some odd low-frequency thumping that Columbia added to "That Old Feeling."