Count Basie Albums (99)
What The Critics Say
Count Basie may have died in 1984 but his orchestra continues to roll on without any loss of quality. The 1992 edition was filled with strong soloists and swinging arrangements. Leader Frank Foster wrote most of the charts for this CD (including the fine four-part "Count Basie Remembrance Suite") and allocated solo space to 12 of the 14 horn players. There are good individual features for Kenny Hing on tenor, trombonist Clarence Banks, electric guitarist Charlton Johnson and Foster himself ("Here's That Rainy Day") but it is the strong ensembles that make this a rewarding set. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'On the Sunny Side of the Street'
Release Date 6/26/2006
Tracks 18
Label Universal
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'At the Bluenote'
Release Date 6/20/2006
Tracks 11
Label Sounds of Yesteryear
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'At the Aquarium 1946'
Release Date 10/7/2003
Tracks 21
Label Storyville
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What The Critics Say
This CD of live broadcasts by Count Basie was drawn from a series called One Night Stand that featured regular remotes from nightclubs during the 1940s. This was a Basie band in transition, with new musicians and older ones returning from military service after World War II. The trumpet section is particularly strong, with Harry "Sweets" Edison, Joe Newman, Snooky Young, Emmett Berry, and Ed Lewis (the latter of whom contributed "San Jose"). Illinois Jacquet and Buddy Tate are two potent tenor saxophonists, while a young J.J. Johnson is among the trombonists. The normally subdued Basie shows off a bit in his "Red Bank Boogie," while vocalist Jimmy Rushing steals the show with his bluesy "Take Me Back" and a moving "Blue Skies." Although guitarist Freddie Green penned "Down for Double," he stays in a timekeeping role playing rhythm, ceding the spotlight to trombonist George Matthews. The band is in top form on each of the three evenings represented on this disc. The sound is typical for a transcription; it is not particularly noisy, though the rhythm section tends to be overwhelmed by the brass and reeds. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Count Basie at Southland 1940'
Release Date 6/25/2002
Tracks 19
Label Jazz Band
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'Pleyel: 17 Avril 1972, Pt. 1'
Release Date 9/4/2001
Tracks 18
Label Trema
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'Palais de Chaillot 3-29-60: Live'
Release Date 9/4/2001
Tracks 21
Label Trema
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What The Critics Say
Europe1 regularly recorded jazz concerts for broadcast during the 1950s and '60s, so this 1960 performance by Count Basie at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris is representative of the heights of the band during the era in which Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Frank Foster, Marshall Royal and Frank Wess were all a part of the group. The set list is diverse, blending originals by bandmembers and Neal Hefti (one of the most prolific contributors to Basie at the time), favorites from other bands' repertoire and a few blues. With a rock-solid rhythm section (Freddie Green, Eddie Jones and Sonny Payne) led by Basie, the focus is on the horn soloists and the tight, consistently swinging ensembles. Highlights include the strutting "Blues in Hoss' Flat," "Makin' Whoopee" (with its delicious vocal-like muted trombone, probably by Al Grey) and band favorite "'Shiny Stockings." ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
