The Benny Green Trio - Greens (1991/2020)

One can judge this CD on two different levels. As far as originality goes, pianist Benny Green at age 27 seemed content on his trio date with bassist Christian McBride and drummer Carl Allen to sound like a close relative of Bobby Timmons, Oscar Peterson, and Gene Harris, with touches of Bud Powell; his style at this point in time was quite derivative. But for upbeat, swinging, soulful music, the set fits the bill. Such songs as "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Soon," "Cute" and "Shiny Stockings" certainly were not in need of being recorded again, and even Green's originals sound strangely familiar. But the trio's enthusiasm, virtuosity and tightness give the music more life than it probably deserves.