Customer Reviews

Mostly Blues & Some Others

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Yes, this album is recorded by a Count Basie small group (septet on tracks where everybody contributes), but he is not the only swinging veteran - the great ole reliable Snooky Young,

with his muted trumpet, shows precisely why he was held to such esteem by both musicians and fans who were in-the-know... With Freddie Green on rhythm guitar, the things shouldn't have (and didn't) go wrong...

The younger generations are also represented by some of the finest american jazz musicians EVER... Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Joe Pass are, of course glorious virtuosi, both of them really shining bright on this album - Joe particularly on "Blues for Charlie Christian", Eddie everywhere... The bass is played by John Heard and the drummer is Roy McCurdy; I don't have a clue who they are, but they sound very good (rock-solid good), working fine and dandy with Basie, Green (and, occasionally Pass) in creating the swinging rhythm.

This is a very much swing oriented album, with the blues being an integral part of the Basie's remarkable and instantly recognisable touch. And, yes, it's recorded (and originally released) in the 1980s, purchased by me in 2010, proving yet again how good music transcends the barriers of time and stylistic fads... Basie will last forever, just like Bird, Miles, Brownie, Mingus, Monk or any other more contemporary giant I don't feel comfortable discussing here out of my lack of knowledge...

Nobody played small band blues better than Basie and thanks to Pablo records for releasing so many of these sessions. The formula was simple. Put Basie in a studio with some experienced jazz men and turn on the tape machine! And this session featured Eddie lockjaw Davis on sax, Snooky Young on muted trumpet, and Joe Pass on electric guitar. The songs are relaxed and bluesy, all done Basie style. The sessions must have been a joy to record. lots of bluesy riffing, lots of great soloing, and more Basie piano than on any of his big band recordings. It's sad most of these great musicians are no longer with us, but it's good that the music is still available for us to enjoy.

I am a jazz musician myself (guitar player) and I usually listen a lot to music. I first discovered this Count Basie album in a local library and barrow it to listen. I can honestly say that this album is located among the ten most important jazz albums, together with Kind of Blue by Miles Davis and The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery. As I said, I listen to a lot of music, but from time to time, I find myself go back to this great masterpiece and listen...to the humble playing of Basie and the colorful improvising of Joe Pass and it really makes me happy. I also can add that as a musician I learn a lot from this album. Highly recommended!!