Bob Byler reviewed "Fingerbustin" along with Sonny Larosa's "America's Youngest Jass Band: Live at the March of Jazz 2000" for The Mississippi Rag, August 2003

MIDIRI BROTHERS ORCHESTRA: FINGERBUSTIN' (MID3)

Clarinade; Don't Get Around Much Anymore; Petite Fleur; Come Dance with Me; My Inspiration; Bye Bye Blackbird; Undecided; As Time Goes By; Caldonia; I Want a Little Girl; Tain't What You Do; Night and Day; Finger Bustin'.

These CDs feature two big bands that are very different in nature. One is a firstclass professional band and the other a phenomenal youth group.

The Midiri twins of New Jersey began their orchestra in 1989 and made this recording in 1999. The popular 17-member territory band has also done radio broadcasts. Besides 10 band tracks, the CD includes the Midiri quintet playing "Petite Fleur" and the quartet "Undecided" and "Night and Day."

Joe Midiri's fluid clarinet is prominent here, tunes ranging from Bob Haggart's sonorous "My Inspiration" to a challenging "Finger Bustin," which previously had been recorded by Jimmy Dorsey in 1941. Swinging singer Paula Johns is on five tunes, and rhythm guitarist Pat Mercuri is a standout. Paul Midiri is on drums with the combos, also trombone with the orchestra, and is now vibes master with the brothers' sextet at jazz festivals.