Customer Reviews

1938-1945

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sorry young man, Jimmy didn't play sax. Back before basie, before Moten Jimmy played a bit of Piano in LA clubs before he ever sang. He must have rocked that box as the saying goes.

Jimme shines as a blues singer, but he never saw himself chiefly as a blues singer. That found him. In fact, when Billie Holiday left the Basie band--some say she was chased out by John Hammond but that's another story--Jimmie protested that they didnt need to add another singer. He was all they needed because he saw himself as a ballad singer.

This CD covers his recordings with the Basie Orchestra during the years Basie was signed with Columbia and its subsidiary Brunswick. There is of course the great blues at which he has no competition, not even from the great Joe Turner in regard to swinging a band. But I love the ballads and satirical songs. "It's the Same Old South" is worth the whole album, a more or less funny protest song standing up for Black rights and the CIO.

What I think Jimmy had that none of the other blues shouters had was a musical nature. He was more than just loud sound and rhythm. He approached the blues and the ballads as a musician. What a powerful voice he had. And how he could swing. With all his size, do you know that Jimmy was renown as a dancer. I've seen him move and swing in movies, and what glory, what soul, what music!

I have heard Jimmy Rushing swing a whole big band. I have heard him swing me. This will swing you.

Jimmy Rushing, 'Mr. Five by Five', was a staple blues singer for many years. Some of my favorite recordings were made with Benny Goodman in the 1950s, and that's where I first encountered him. His work with Buck Clayton is terrific, too. Over the years I've worn out my recordings of 'I'm Coming Virginia' ('Foginia, my Dixieland Home') Of course, we all know Count Basie and the many recordings he made with his 'number one son' Joe Williams.

Well, run out and get this one. It only takes a few seconds to download and enjoy. I won't go into very specific detail other than to say these performers just bring out the best in each other in a joyfully wonderful set of riffs. The Basie band, in fine fettle always, features that crackling brass and perfect rhythm section. The sound has held up well and, like me, you'll listen to this one over and over. Believe me, these guys feed on each other. You can feel the fun.

Nobody sings the word BABY like Rushing does! Basie and Rushing made many great recordings together and most of them are here. Blues, pop tunes, it didn't matter. Rushing could make any song sound great.And it didn't hurt having the best bluesy big band in the history of jazz backing him up. Wonderfull music.

Jimmy is a good sax man and a evean better singer. I am doing a report on him and i am glad i chose him. If you don't belive me listen to him!