This late '40s Blue Note date groups jazz legend Sidney Bechet with cornetist Wild Bill Davison and pianist Art Hodes and injects a fresh dose of vitality into Bechet's hard-driving style of New Orleans jazz. Backed by a strong rhythm section, the three musicians swap leads on classics like "NobodyKnows You When You're Down and Out", "Basin Street Blues", and "When the Saints Go Marching In". Such traditional songsas "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho" (note the swinging, hand-clap intro) are given such energised readings as to makethem immune to criticisms of shallow revivalism. Davison's ragged tone and strong improvisatory skills are impressive throughout, but Bechet, who only plays soprano sax on thissession, is clearly the leader here, blazing ahead of the ensemble at times with his relentless attack, heavy, dramaticvibrato, and clear tone. RUNNIN' WILD is a vital, pulse-quickening collection (just check out the title track) that might surprise those who consider classic jazz "quaint".