Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Basie Swings B4 Sinatra Sings, February 24, 2001
This album was "put together" during a joyous 5-day gig where the band opened for (and then backed) "Ol' Blue Eyes" in the Copa Room at the Sands Hotel/Casino, in Las Vegas, in 1966. The band did a short set each night, and the reissue producers picked various tunes from each set to make up one LONG set. The tunes included are some of the BEST charts the band ever did, recorded by one of the BEST BANDS the Count ever had. The personnel included Basie stars like Sonny Cohn, Al Aarons, Al Grey, Marshall Royal, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Sonny Payne...if you are a Basie fan, that tells it ALL...and if you're NOT, buy this and you'll BECOME A FAN!!This is really PART ONE of a great two-part session. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you also get PART TWO, "Sinatra At The Sands," so you can enjoy the wonderful combination these two music legends made working together. (Check out the interplay between Frank and "Lockjaw" on the other disc, when they do "I've Got A Crush On You" and try to tell anyone they were not having FUN doing these sessions!!) The band plays with all the energy and creativity musicians bring out when "the room" is full of people who are really tuned-in to what they're doing...and the magic continues when Francis Albert is introduced and does his thing with the band!! Both of the CD's are really enjoyable for anyone who even "likes" music!! Anyway, this fits right into the "BURIED TREASURE" category. Buy this (and the Sinatra disc, too!) and enjoy Basie classics like "Splanky," "Foo Birds," "I Can't Stop Loving You," "Makin' Whoopee!" and "Corner Pocket" done on a live session with great playing. This will surely become one of your favorites.
|
|
|
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One word: Wow!, July 20, 2003
Though I prefer the early Basie sound of the 30's, this album is remarkable for its clarity, sound quality and sheer presence. Basie also sounded better live than in any studio, and this disc exemplifies this phenomenon. Unlike many other live recordings, there is very little, if any, background noise, superfluous pops and buzzes or anything else to mar the magnificent sound. Incredibly, Basie was relegated to being a warm-up act for Sinatra in the Copa Room in Vegas and these songs were recorded as Basie and the boys swung before the Chairman hit the stage. The highlights of this album are undoubtedly One O'Clock Jump and the swingin' Jumpin' at the Woodside. It's impossible not to become a Basie convert if you listen to just these two cuts. The brass section really cuts loose and you'll find yourself wanting to get up and just cut loose. That's what Basie is for: smiling, swingin' and having a great time. What a master musician and bandleader he was. Enjoy this collection!
|
|
|
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my favorite Basie recordings, September 16, 2005
Energy....killing Sonny Payne fills and set-ups for the band....absolutely electric live recording from a peak period for Basie and his Band as they backed and opened for Sinatra at the Sands. Great recording quality and remastering for surprising clarity.
Enjoy one of the best of the genre....
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
by Count Basie 
