Count Basie was one of the most important and influential personalities in the whole history of jazz, as pianist, composer and bandleader, and Acrobat has several products devoted to his music, the most recent being “The Legendary New Testament Band 1952-55” (ACTRCD9131). This collection follows on a few years after that, and addresses his early years with the Roulette label later in the decade with some fine albums with his orchestra in between hugely successful projects when he made albums accompanying noted vocalists.
This 41-track 2-CD collection features all but one of the titles from his original LP releases of “The Atomic Mr. Basie”, “Basie Plays Hefti”, “Basie One More Time” and “Chairman Of The Board”. These were among his most highly regarded albums of the era, featuring the compositions and arrangements of Neal Hefti on “The Atomic Mr. Basie” and “Basie Plays Heftie” and the compositions of Quincy Jones on “Basie One More Time”, so he is performing and recording up-to-the-minute material among these selections.
Any collection of Basie’s work is bound to be worth listening to, and this set captures him during what was a fascinating era of his career, as his image and positioning became more contemporary, underlining his ability always to stay abreast of where jazz was going. As always, it’s a fine showcase for one of the genre’s true legends.
CD 1
1. THE KID FROM RED BANK Count Basie Orchestra
2. DUET Count Basie Orchestra
3. AFTER SUPPER Count Basie Orchestra
4. FLIGHT OF THE FOO BIRDS Count Basie Orchestra
5. DOUBLE-O Count Basie Orchestra
6. TEDDY THE TOAD Count Basie Orchestra
7. WHIRLYBIRD Count Basie Orchestra
8. MIDNITE BLUE Count Basie Orchestra
9. SPLANKY Count Basie Orchestra
10. FANTAIL Count Basie Orchestra
11. LI'L DARLIN' Count Basie Orchestra
From the album “The Atomic Mr. Basie” (Roulette R/SR 52003) 1958
12. HAS ANYONE HERE SEEN BASIE Count Basie & His Orchestra
13. CUTE Count Basie & His Orchestra
14. PENSIVE MISS Count Basie & His Orchestra
15. SLOO FOOT Count Basie & His Orchestra
16. SCOOT Count Basie & His Orchestra
17. A LITTLE TEMPO, PLEASE Count Basie & His Orchestra
18. LATE DATE Count Basie & His Orchestra
19. COUNT DOWN Count Basie & His Orchestra
20. BAG'A BONES Count Basie & His Orchestra
21. PONY TAIL Count Basie & His Orchestra
From the album “Basie Plays Hefti” (Roulette R/SR 52011) 1958
22. RAT RACE Count Basie Orchestra
From the album “Basie One More Time” (Roulette R/SR 52024) 1959
CD 2
1. FOR LENA AND LENNIE Count Basie Orchestra
2. QUINCE Count Basie Orchestra
3. MEET B B Count Basie Orchestra
4. THE BIG WALK Count Basie Orchestra
5. A SQUARE AT THE ROUND TABLE Count Basie Orchestra
6. I NEEDS TO BE BEE'D WITH Count Basie Orchestra
7. JESSICA'S DAY Count Basie Orchestra
8. THE MIDNITE SUN NEVER SETS Count Basie Orchestra
9. MUTTNIK Count Basie Orchestra
From the album “Basie One More Time” (Roulette R/SR 52024) 1959
10. BLUES IN HOSS' FLAT Count Basie & His Orchestra
11. H.R.H. (HER ROYAL HIGHNESS) Count Basie & His Orchestra
12. SEGUE IN C Count Basie & His Orchestra
13. KANSAS CITY SHOUT Count Basie & His Orchestra
14. SPEAKING OF SOUNDS Count Basie & His Orchestra
15. TV TIME Count Basie & His Orchestra
16. WHO, ME? Count Basie & His Orchestra
17. THE DEACON Count Basie & His Orchestra
18. HALF MOON STREET Count Basie & His Orchestra
19. MUTT & JEFF Count Basie & His Orchestra
From the album “Chairman Of The Board” (Roulette R/SR 52032) 1959
