Count Basie (1904-1984): In A Mellotone

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Detailed Information

  • Label: Candid, 1959
  • Order number: 9907341
  • Release date: 16.12.2011
+ Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Benny Powell u.a.

Product Information

Product Information


William 'Count' Basie was a man who, in his life time led two magnificent bands. The first began its existence as the Barons of Rhythm in 1935. His former leader, Bennie Moten, had died in that year and, using some of his sidemen. Basie had formed his own band in partnership with altoist Buster Smith. At first it was a pretty ragged band, it used mainly ' head' arrangements and was not always best able to showcase the considerable talents of its soloists. However, Basie strengthened his line-up and, when the band made its New York recording debut in the following year it boasted such luminaries as trumpeter Buck Clayton, saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, vocalist Jimmy Rushing and a rhythm team of bassist Walter Page and drummer Jo Jones. They were joined by guitarist Freddie Green and this completed what became known as the All-American Rhythm Section. It was this team that gave the band its un-mistakable trademark: four even beats to the bar and all delivered with a unique lightness of touch. At the heart of it was Basie the master of the economical, playing beautiful fill-ins. never obstructing the easy flow of his soloists but lifting the entire band like a musical elevator. Basie continued to lead his own orchestra until January 1950. In the next couple of years he fronted a particularly interesting octet but could not resist the sound of a big band at his back and in 1952, reformed the orchestra. Miraculously, The Atomic Band was achieved with no loss in swing power: if anything, Basie's phenomenal instrument of a band swung even more than its predecessors. The track 'Old Man River' offers the full package, even the ubiquitous drum solo.

EUR 14.99*

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