4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The swingingest band in all the land, March 12, 2005
This is the first volume in the Chronological Classics series on Count Basie, and most of the music on it should and will live forever. It begins with the Jones-Smith Inc. sides that gave John Hammond coniptions, contracturally speaking, but only give the rest of us everlasting joy. "Shoe shine boy" and "Lady be good" are masterpieces from this session; Lester Young is amazing. Then come the first five Decca sessions with the full big band, and the honey continues to flow. We get "Swingin' at the Daisy Chain," "Roseland shuffle," "One o'clock jump," "Topsy," and "John's idea" just to name a few of the gems from these sessions. These are must-have recordings.
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