Tribute to Count Basie

Gene Harris | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B0000006GP
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,929 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "evocative testimony of swingin' the blues", December 22, 2000

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tribute to Count Basie (Audio CD)

Basie loved to play the blues, so who better...one of the greatest blues pianists of all time, as he attempts to fill that chair and lead the band - Gene Harris pays "Tribute to Count Basie. In this tribute to Captain Bill, Harris has been faithful to that priority, not to imitate - but to celebrate the spirit of Count Basie in Gene's own style.

Some of the musicians who were associated with the various Basie Bands sit in on this album - Snooky Young (lead trumpet), Jon Faddis (lead trumpet) and Marshall Royal (lead alto sax). Herb Ellis was the only guitar player who could fill Freddie Green's shoes. The soloists also include - Plas Johnson (tenor sax), Ray Brown (bass), Conte Candoli (trumpet) and Bill Watrous (trombone) play with crisp, exultant authority...much what Basie would expect and liked to hear.

Concord Jazz aims this music to make people feel good...make you move, even when you're sitting down...spin this one on your CD player...the best of two worlds Basie and Gene Harris...this one is a keeper!

Total Time: 46:52 on 9 Tracks...Concord Jazz CCD-4337...(1988)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Count is back!!!, January 20, 2006

By 

W. Everett (Ridgefield, CT United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tribute to Count Basie (Audio CD)

Even though this isn't actually Basie's band it SOUNDS more like The Count than most recordings I've heard and the reproduction is SUPERB! I can't stress this enough because many of Basie's offerings sound as though they were being played behind a curtain without the crisp, harmonious blast and echo that puts you right in front of the bandstand where his electrifying magic can best be appreciated. This IS Basie "LIVE" as I've heard him many times and Harris honors his musical legacy to ABSOLUTE PERFECTION.

"Night Mist Blues" (my favorite cut), "Dejection Blues" and "Blues For Pepper" say it all. I've waited years for this one and I can't recommend it highly enough to all you Basie fans who want to bask in the thrill of the Count's brass-driven "Swingin'The Blues" or the soulful perfection of his "When Did You Leave Heaven?" - ONE MORE TIME.

BUY this CD. You won't be sorry!

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best!, January 4, 2010

By 

Kit Caboose "The Spleen" (Remorse, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tribute to Count Basie (Audio CD)

I love this Grammy nominated CD so much. I think it's the best music Gene Harris produced. I'm a little partial to the bright and brassy sound of the Count Basie Band and this CD is the perfect tribute to that sound of Basie. Gene Harris has some beautiful riffs on the piano throughout the entire CD but particularly on "Captain Bill". All the songs are great. Gene has a much stronger piano presence integrated with the full sound of a big band behind him. The All Star Big Band has a real smooth, lively and brassy touch and they play tighter than a bull's ass during fly season. If you like either jazz, big band, the piano or Gene Harris I can guarantee you'll play this CD over and over.