Live at the Sands [Live]

Count Basie | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 21, 1998)
• Original Release Date: July 21, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B000009D1P
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,482 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Introduction

2. Splanky

3. I Can't Stop Loving You

4. I Needs to Be Bee'd With

5. Flight of the Foo Birds

6. Satin Doll

7. Makin' Whoopee

8. Corner Pocket

9. One O'Clock Jump

10. Go Away Little Girl

11. Whirlybird

12. Blues for Ilene

13. This Could Be the Start of Something Big

14. Jumpin' at the Woodside

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Basie Swings B4 Sinatra Sings, February 24, 2001

By 

C. Law "Charlie Law" (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live at the Sands (Audio CD)

This album was "put together" during a joyous 5-day gig where the band opened for (and then backed) "Ol' Blue Eyes" in the Copa Room at the Sands Hotel/Casino, in Las Vegas, in 1966. The band did a short set each night, and the reissue producers picked various tunes from each set to make up one LONG set. The tunes included are some of the BEST charts the band ever did, recorded by one of the BEST BANDS the Count ever had. The personnel included Basie stars like Sonny Cohn, Al Aarons, Al Grey, Marshall Royal, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Sonny Payne...if you are a Basie fan, that tells it ALL...and if you're NOT, buy this and you'll BECOME A FAN!!

This is really PART ONE of a great two-part session. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you also get PART TWO, "Sinatra At The Sands," so you can enjoy the wonderful combination these two music legends made working together. (Check out the interplay between Frank and "Lockjaw" on the other disc, when they do "I've Got A Crush On You" and try to tell anyone they were not having FUN doing these sessions!!) The band plays with all the energy and creativity musicians bring out when "the room" is full of people who are really tuned-in to what they're doing...and the magic continues when Francis Albert is introduced and does his thing with the band!! Both of the CD's are really enjoyable for anyone who even "likes" music!!

Anyway, this fits right into the "BURIED TREASURE" category. Buy this (and the Sinatra disc, too!) and enjoy Basie classics like "Splanky," "Foo Birds," "I Can't Stop Loving You," "Makin' Whoopee!" and "Corner Pocket" done on a live session with great playing. This will surely become one of your favorites.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One word: Wow!, July 20, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: Live at the Sands (Audio CD)

Though I prefer the early Basie sound of the 30's, this album is remarkable for its clarity, sound quality and sheer presence. Basie also sounded better live than in any studio, and this disc exemplifies this phenomenon. Unlike many other live recordings, there is very little, if any, background noise, superfluous pops and buzzes or anything else to mar the magnificent sound. Incredibly, Basie was relegated to being a warm-up act for Sinatra in the Copa Room in Vegas and these songs were recorded as Basie and the boys swung before the Chairman hit the stage.

The highlights of this album are undoubtedly One O'Clock Jump and the swingin' Jumpin' at the Woodside. It's impossible not to become a Basie convert if you listen to just these two cuts. The brass section really cuts loose and you'll find yourself wanting to get up and just cut loose. That's what Basie is for: smiling, swingin' and having a great time. What a master musician and bandleader he was. Enjoy this collection!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite Basie recordings, September 16, 2005

By 

Chip Tingle "Freelance Trombonist/Educator" (SF CA bay area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live at the Sands (Audio CD)

Energy....killing Sonny Payne fills and set-ups for the band....absolutely electric live recording from a peak period for Basie and his Band as they backed and opened for Sinatra at the Sands. Great recording quality and remastering for surprising clarity.

Enjoy one of the best of the genre....