2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best of Basie in the 50s, January 23, 2011
This review is from: April In Paris/King of Swing/Atomic Mr. Basie (Audio CD)
This 2-CD set is also known as "Four Classic Albums."
The Basie band is one of the most time-honored organizations in jazz. This set presents four complete albums from the Count and his men from 1953 to 1958, most notably "April in Paris" and "The Atomic Mr. Basie" (also known as "E=MC2"). Both were big hits, and the latter record, written and arranged by the great Neil Hefti, is universally acclaimed as one of Basie's finest albums. You'll hear one of the tightest horn sections in jazz history and roaring solos from tenor sax man Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. Add "King of Swing" and "The Greatest!" with singer Joe Williams, and you have a classic collection at a bargain price. It should be noted that these are monophonic rather than stereo recordings.
The label putting out this set is Avid, a British company that specializes in classic jazz compilations. It's able to offer the CDs so inexpensively because copyright only lasts for 50 years in Europe (though it was recently extended to 70 years on new releases). As a result, older recordings can be issued without paying royalties. The sound is impeccably remastered, original liner notes are included, and if you check Amazon Marketplace sellers, you can find a set on sale for under ten dollars!
Also look into other collections on the Avid label, including sets by Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Milt Jackson, Anita O'Day, John Lewis, Al Cohn, Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, Jimmy Giuffre, Stan Getz, Dave Brubeck, Art Blakey, Art Pepper, Benny Goodman, Barney Kessell, Zoot Sims, Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong, Blossom Dearie, Chico Hamilton, Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey, and many others.
A full track listing follows:
CD 1
Tracks 1-10: "April In Paris"
1. April In Paris
2. Corner Pocket
3. Did'n You
4. Sweety Cakes
5. Magic
6. Shiny Stockings
7. What Am I Here For
8. Midgets
9. Mambo Inn
10. Dinner With Friends
Tracks 11-20: "King Of Swing"
11. Cherry Point
12. Bubbles
13. Right On
14. The Blues Done Come Back
15. Plymouth Rock
16. I Feel Like A New Man
17. You For Me
18. Soft Drink
19. Two For The Blues
20. Slow But Sure
CD2
Tracks 1-11: "The Atomic Mr. Basie"
1. The Kid From Red Bank
2. Duet
3. After Supper
4. Flight Of The Foo Birds
5. Double-O
6. Teddy The Toad
7. Whirly- Bird
8. Midnite Blue
9. Splanky
10. Fantail
11. Li'l Darlin'
Tracks 12-23: "The Greatest! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams Sings Standards"
12. Thou Swell
13. There Will Never Be Another You
14. Our Love Is Here To Stay
15. 'S Wonderful
16. My Baby Just Cares For Me
17. Nevertheless
18. Singin' In The Rain
19. I'm Beginning To See The Light
20. A Fine Romance
21. Come Rain Or Come Shine
22. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
23. This Can't Be Love
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inexpensive and beautiful, May 9, 2010
This review is from: April In Paris/King of Swing/Atomic Mr. Basie (Audio CD)
If you, in the US buy this from UK amazon, you'll probably still get a good deal! But you also have this used cd option here on US amazon...
Great way to collect jazz in these tighter packages (in adittion to Basie I already have Al Cohn, Anita O'Day, Dizzy Gillespie);
some users complain that the sound of some AVID compilations is not perfect but, if you're not HI FI sophisticate, if you have an average stereo system (like I do), this should work for you.
It's Basie, ladies and gentleman, in good form, with Joe Williams on one of four albums,
with Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Frank Foster, Frank Wess and other second testament stars (the drummers are, in case you were wondering, Sonny Payne and Gus Johnson).
I recommend it HIGHLY... It's swinging.
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