Customer Reviews

Live at the Sands

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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....

It was a great time in the late history of big bands and Basie was enjoying his popularity. It also had to be a high working with Sinatra. This collection was recorded live and definately swings.

I never got to see Count Basie "Live". But, in listening to his "live" recordings it amazes me that people are talking while the band is playing. These musicians should have had total attention and a standing "O" at the end of every song! What a powerful band! Perhaps some of these folks at the show see them every night? Listen to this CD and you will see why Count Basie was so incredible. You can't go wrong.

I DJ and program a big band segment on my show at a NW Radio Jazz station. I want to say as a teen in 1960 I had the opportunity to see and hear Count Basie and his orchestra at Disneyland, California. I was a believer from then on that I had heard one of the top bands I would ever hear. We were blessed to hear a lot from Basie through the Sixties. The sound, solo work and the team work of the musicians on Basie at The Sands is Big Band at it's greatest. The sound quality is truly good for a live recording. I really enjoy being able to hear very clearly Basie's style of "plinking" at the piano. He was truly unique and this is a good album of his work with the Band. WORK! It wasn't work, it was pure Joy to the ears.

If you are a fan of the classic "Sinatra at the Sands with Count Basie", you will want to have this companion recording! The Sands recording was one of Frank's best (along with "Ring-a-Ding-Ding") and a true classic - an "end of the era" demarcation in terms of the great big band singers. These are the Basie band's warm up numbers, and while a little on the rough side, they are still great listening. This does not rise to the level of "Breakfast Dance and Barbecue", but it's still fantastic, and something any fan of the Sands album will want.

This CD features the whole Basie band in exciting ensemble work. Whirly Bird is amazing, same with One O'Clock Jump, Splanky, and Jumpin' at the Woodside.

A beautiful live recording of the Basie Band at its prime. The sound quality is superb.

If you're a Basie fan, this CD is a "must have." It contains the music of the Count Basie big band recorded live at Sands Hotel in 1966, when the band "opened" for Frank Sinatra and then backed him up at this historic show. For a 1966, live recording, the quality and fidelity are amazing -- some minor imbalances here and there, but still great. The band sounds fantastic; and you'll want to get the CD "Sinatra at the Sands" (with the Basie band backing him up) to complete this unofficial 2-CD "set."