one that completists and Krupa's diehard fans will be glad to have

During the last years of his life, Gene Krupa suffered from more than his share of health problems, including leukemia, emphysema, heart disease, and severe back pain. But despite all he went through, the drummer was still able to provide some inspired performances here and there. One of them came on April 17, 1973, when he was joined by tenor saxman Eddie Shu, pianist John Bunch, and bassist Nabil Total at the New School in New York. That performance, recorded only six months before Krupa's death, went unreleased for 26 years but finally saw the light of day when Chiaroscuro put out Live at the New School in 1999. This CD finds Krupa in good form, and the drummer's many health problems don't prevent him from playing with a lot of enthusiasm on swing era classics like 'Sing, Sing, Sing,' 'Don't Be That Way,' 'Take the A Train,' and 'Undecided.' Unfortunately, the sound quality isn't great -- listenable, certainly, although not very sharp and not great by 1973 standards. But while Live at the New School falls short of essential, it's a valuable and historically important recording just the same -- and it's one that completists and Krupa's diehard fans will be glad to have.These 15 selections tell a story that only could be told by the likes of these brilliant jazz artists; Ralph, Kenny and Gus. This album includes masterpieces such as, 'That's A-Plenty', 'Am i Blue', Take me to the Land of Jazz', and 'Anything for You' These selections are what inspired generations of future jazz musicians

Track Listing

• Opening Remarks
• Don't Be That Way
• Undecided
• Take The 'A' Train
• Drumboogie
• As Long As I Live
• Body & Soul
• Caravan
• Sing, Sing, Sing

Additional Details

Label: Chiaroscuro Records

Genre: Jazz

Run Time: 76:04 mins

Release Date: 03/04/02

UPC: 091454020720