The Complete Atomic Basie

Count Basie

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 31, 1994)
• Original Release Date: 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000005GX2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,269 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #3 in	Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz
  #7 in	Music > Indie Music > Blues
  #30 in	Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz > Contemporary Big Band

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Bristling with excitement and electricity, this 1958 album represents the finest accomplishment of Count Basie's "New Testament" big band. His "Old Testament" band of the late 1930s, featuring stars Lester Young, Herschel Evans, Dickie Wells, and Buck Clayton, perfected the blues-drenched, straight 4/4 rhythm of Kansas City swing. Building on the blues foundation, this 1950s band features more ambitious compositions and a more dynamic sound and incorporates more modern developments. One constant, however, is the anchoring rhythm guitar of Freddie Green. As always, Basie can dig deeply into robust stride statements or choose each note as if he had to pay for them separately. Neal Hefti, the primary composer and arranger here, marvelously captures the strengths of each individual musician. His arrangements sparkle exuberantly on the up tunes and create vivid and exotic moods on the slower ones; clever and innovative without ever being overblown. Beefy tenor Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, who was only in the band for a relatively short period, offers the most valuable and vital solo contributions, recalling Ben Webster's tenderness at times, squeaking and honking like an R&B man at others. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome! An A-bomb of sound, July 20, 2003

By	Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

Though I prefer the Basie band of the 30's, this is an awesome collection of later work from 1958, enhanced by kickin' arrangements by Neal Hefti. Hefti is better known for working with Sinatra in the 50's, but I feel his work with Basie is more innovative and vibrant than his collaboration with Frank. Another plus is the sound quality on this disc, which greatly surpases anything Basie recorded in the Depression. You can really hear the brass section, especially when you pump up the volume, and how can you not do that considering this is the inimitable Basie? The trumpet solos really soar and Basie's distinctive one-fingered approach to the piano is highlighted by the mixing here. My two favorite tracks have got to be the fantastic Whirlybird, closely followed by Lil' Darlin'. Again, the arrangements on these tracks is first rate and the sound quality is awesome.

The only reason I am not giving this collection 5 stars is because I prefer the Basie band in a live setting, when they would always pull out the stops and just swing it to the ceiling. Check out Basie at the Sands for an example of his band in a live forum. Otherwise, this disc is stellar all the way!

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not the early Basie, but really good, December 18, 2002

By	Benjamin Thomas (ukiah, ca United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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Of course this is not the ground-breaking band that featured Lester Young and the Basie rhythm section in the late 30s, but it's a great band, with more power and drive than that band, and just as much swing. Did I really say that? The power comes from abigger band and better recording techniques. Lockjaw Davis's presence is wonderful. Whirlybird and Flight of the Foobirds are super cuts. This is NOT the first Basie disk you should buy, but it is about #6, and since #1-4 (the three disk set of Basie on Decca and Vols. 1,2,3 on Columbia) are in my top 10 jazz disks overall, this is a high recommendation. The Best of Jazz issue of Basie is superb by the way, if you only want to buy one.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just buy it!, December 12, 1999

By	Stuart Leitch (Oak Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This is wonderful from top to bottom. Basie's band swings powerfully, precisely and freely. Hefti's tunes and arrangements are the best. If you want to hear the sound of sixteen very happy great musicians at the top of their form, check this out!