Customer Reviews

On the Road

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Dennis Rowland is the featured vocalist in this album. He now lives in Phoenix, Arizona and still is very active. He and his jazz combo will be the guest artists at the Opening Night concert of The Phoenix Symphony on September 8, 2007. He is still best known for his association with the Count Basie Orchestra. From 1977 to 1984, he toured the world as the featured vocalist with the Count Basie Orchestra, sharing the stage with such luminaries as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, and Tony Bennett. Rowland's smooth, powerful voice also graces two tunes on Basie's 1980 Grammy winning album On The Road. Rowland continued his recording career on the Concord label in 1995. Some of his Concord recordings include Rhyme Rhythm & Reason, Get Here, Now Dig This (a tribute to Miles Davis), and A Concord Jazz Christmas: Volume 2. Rowland has also appeared in a variety of theatrical stage productions including "Chicago," "The Seven Deadly Sins (with Cleo Laine)," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Big River," and "Little Shop Of Horrors." In April 1997, he was invited by Wynton Marsalis to perform with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra for "Swingin' The Blues For Count Basie." Rowland's performance was met with raucous audience approval, inspiring New York Times writer Peter Watrous to exclaim, "He's a spectacular blues singer...It was most honest and liberating; what Mr. Rowland dispenses should be sold in drugstores."

If you really want to get the feeling and experience the essence of this 17 piece Basie organization, consider this one.It's vintage Basie. This a live, studio audience performance.Trombonist Booty Wood is as colorful and flexible as ever. Eric Dixon and Kenny Hing handle the tenor solos fluently and melodiously. And of course, Basie demonstrates is unique flair for injecting his piano accents just at the right time. Since this is a "live" performance, expect the person on the soundboard to be a little slow on the trigger at times.It was recorded orginally in 1979

Most of the music on this CD is excellent. John Clayton and Bootie Wood do amazing jobs with their features, "John the III" and "Bootie's Blues" (respectively). "John the III" is unusual in that it is a big band BASS feature (very cool). "Basie" is also very energized. However, the best reason to own this CD is for what I would call the DEFINITIVE version of "In a Mellow Tone." This cut is absolutely awe-inspiring. The only real problem with this CD is the very poor liner notes. John Clayton is not listed anywhere, even though Basie introduces him for "John the III." Basie's typically short introduction doen't help - the vocalist for tracks 8 and 9 is introduced only as "Dennis" (possibly trombone player Dennis Wilson). This is unfortunate, because he does a very fine job, with great range. And I have no idea who is featured on flugelhorn for "There Will Never Be Another You," but whoever it is really wails. But this doesn't detract from the music. Some songs are lighter-weight fare ("Wind Machine", "Splanky"). But the overall quality of the music makes this a must-own for Basie fans.

This is the greatest big band recording I've ever heard!

I wore out the original record of this fantastic performance.

As I was searching on the internet for a specific song called "Blues for Stephanie" from the Big Band of Count Basie, I finally en only found it on the website of Amazon.com on one of the many CD's in their extended library. However it is a concert in his later period (1979) all the songs sounds fresh and young, and above all, swinging like only Basie's Big Band could do that. It feels like if you are part of the audience. Great music.

mmh hmm, mmh hmm, this is one of "the ones." i mean, i was in the army in 1984 and turned on the news at 6 AM and they were playing His music and i knew what that meant. my web page is http://www.adamm.vivid.net and i have to say Basie was my greatest groove influence.

Late-70's / Early 80's Basie Band recorded live in concert in top form! Grammy Award winner. Enjoy!