First Time: The Count Meets the Duke [ENHANCED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Duke Ellington, Count Basie

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 27, 1999)
• Original Release Date: 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000IMYM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #152,815 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

The two greatest big bands in jazz history side by side on your headphones: What can be more glorious? If, as Billy Strayhorn said, Duke Ellington's band was his instrument, then this 1961 session finds Ellington and Count Basie "trading fours," as it were. The composer credits and solo space are divided democratically, to say the least--four songs from Duke's camp, four from Basie's. The sparring between soloists of both bands is a pure delight, especially the gentle conversations between the two leaders-pianists, who finish each other's thoughts as if all four hands were attached to one unified torso. Highlights include two engaging new Duke compositions--the blistering opener "Battle Royal" and the impulsive "Wild Man"--and the closing Basie chestnut "Jumpin' at the Woodside," on which the lead tenors Frank Foster and Paul Gonsalves engage in ferocious dueling. Amazingly, there is no toe-stepping amid the rousing interplay. --Marc Greilsamer

Amazon.com

Take the Kansas City-style streamlined swing of Count Basie's band and put it together with the omni-American "total jazz" of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and you've got one memorable session. Recorded in 1961 and reissued with unreleased, rehearsal, and alternate takes, the date has a friendly after-hours feel, with the Ellington crew in the right channel and the Basie band in the left. They both deliver the type of no-nonsense straight-ahead jazz that characterized the best of the big-band sound: Ellington's brisk 4/4 opener "Battle Royal" features some stratospheric blowing by tenor saxophonist Frank Wess and trumpeter Cat Anderson along with a volcanic drum "conversation" between Sam Woodyard and Sonny Payne. The sound of the locomotive drives the midtempo "Corner Pocket," the Basie-associated standard by guitarist Freddie Green, steered by saxophonist Paul Gonsalves's robust tenor sax. "Segue in C" showcases Ellington and Basie's Fats Waller-Willie "the Lion" Smith stride-piano roots, with the former's dark chord clusters and the latter's feathery in-the-pocket phrasing. The ballad "To You" is marked by cascading horn harmonies laced with Ellington trombonist Quentin "Butter" Jackson's pleading muted solo. The Basie-Ellington hits "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and "Take the 'A' Train"--with composer Billy Strayhorn tickling the ivories in place of Basie--bring out the best in Basie, Foster, Gonsalves, and trumpeter Ray Nance, and they trade fours and cap this amazing encounter. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Duke and The Count, 'nuff said!, September 21, 2001

By	Brian H. Williams (Manteca, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: First Time! The Count Meets... (Audio CD)

In the 60's, the record companies came to a realization that they had better record the Duke with many of the greatest Jazz men around such as Satchmo, The Count and Coltrane, to name but a few. The differences between those later collaborations (after the Count, like the one with Coltrane) is that the producers took away The Duke from his Big Band. The Coltrane album is just the two of them. That's great, but Duke made his claim to fame with his big band, and this album with Count allows two of the greatest big band leaders of all time to go at it. The results are just splendid. What makes this release even more exciting is all the outtakes. You can hear what goes on behind the scenes, then you can marvel at the amazing fact that this recording was made with no rehersals!!!! Yes, buy it and be amazed!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Basie and Ellington in the same room yields jazz perfection., November 19, 1999

By A Customer

This CD reflects two all time great jazz orchestras. Ellington and Basie really know how to cook. The rehearsal tracks of "A Train" and "Battle Royal" are really intresting. Also, the linear notes are very informative. A must have for any Basie or Ellington fan.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greats Finally Meet, June 21, 1999

By A Customer

This is one of my favorite records of all-time. Hear all the principal players from each band in a fun, relaxed recording session. And the stereo separation allows you to hear both famous rhythm sections from separate speakers.