Complete Atomic Basie

Count Basie | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 31, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000005GX2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,132 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #6 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz
  • #19 in Music > Indie Music > Blues > General
  • #31 in Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz > Classic Big Band

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not the early Basie, but really good, December 18, 2002

By 

Benjamin Thomas (ukiah, ca United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Complete Atomic Basie (Audio CD)

Of course this is not the ground-breaking band that featured Lester Young and the Basie rhythm section in the late 30s, but it's a great band, with more power and drive than that band, and just as much swing. Did I really say that? The power comes from abigger band and better recording techniques. Lockjaw Davis's presence is wonderful. Whirlybird and Flight of the Foobirds are super cuts. This is NOT the first Basie disk you should buy, but it is about #6, and since #1-4 (the three disk set of Basie on Decca and Vols. 1,2,3 on Columbia) are in my top 10 jazz disks overall, this is a high recommendation. The Best of Jazz issue of Basie is superb by the way, if you only want to buy one.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome! An A-bomb of sound, July 20, 2003

By 

Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Atomic Basie (Audio CD)

Though I prefer the Basie band of the 30's, this is an awesome collection of later work from 1958, enhanced by kickin' arrangements by Neal Hefti. Hefti is better known for working with Sinatra in the 50's, but I feel his work with Basie is more innovative and vibrant than his collaboration with Frank. Another plus is the sound quality on this disc, which greatly surpases anything Basie recorded in the Depression. You can really hear the brass section, especially when you pump up the volume, and how can you not do that considering this is the inimitable Basie? The trumpet solos really soar and Basie's distinctive one-fingered approach to the piano is highlighted by the mixing here. My two favorite tracks have got to be the fantastic Whirlybird, closely followed by Lil' Darlin'. Again, the arrangements on these tracks is first rate and the sound quality is awesome.

The only reason I am not giving this collection 5 stars is because I prefer the Basie band in a live setting, when they would always pull out the stops and just swing it to the ceiling. Check out Basie at the Sands for an example of his band in a live forum. Otherwise, this disc is stellar all the way!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just buy it!, December 12, 1999

By 

Stuart Leitch (Oak Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Atomic Basie (Audio CD)

This is wonderful from top to bottom. Basie's band swings powerfully, precisely and freely. Hefti's tunes and arrangements are the best. If you want to hear the sound of sixteen very happy great musicians at the top of their form, check this out!