Looking at the tracklist, it's easy to deduce that this record is tackling pop/dance tunes of the day. Unlike many of the other albums we've listened to thus far, there's no guest arranger here. So the first "interesting" item is the fact that Basie himself has interpreted these songs, with input from Teddy Reig presumably.
I would say the other difference on Dance Along is the clear absence of that blues influence that is a staple of this band's sound. The swing is always there, and heavy at times, but there's really no blues approach to this material. I will let you ponder the reasons for that. That said, there's a ton of extended and incredible soloing throughout all of these tunes. The mood manages to stay upbeat, even through a ballad like Misty.
My record is near mint, and luckily, in glorious mono. The dynamics and soundstage are everything they should be on a Basie album - HUGE!!! I know you guys are gonna love this one. Ripped at 24/48 and transferred to FLAC for your convenience... enjoy!!!Roulette Records R-52036
1960
https://mega.co.nz/#!w4JnwRiB!mnKmSi5cZhAd93nYPRVe57Q1NGmUZS4va64cPsMgO98
ReplyDeleteNice!.Thanks poppa!
ReplyDeleteI'll be spinning this one this afternoon.
Thanks, poppa, what a great Count Basie album...
ReplyDeleteThis one, like all the others, is on the Mosaic boxset but I prefer the sound of the original LP!
Wonderful stuff! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, poppachubby
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, poppachubby!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Very nice !
ReplyDeleteCool. Thanks poppachubby.
ReplyDeleteProbably the wrong place for this sort of discussion, but 99% of what I listen to through my computer sounds decent on my lo-fi sound set up (small T amp, cambridge soundworks bookshelves on the bookshelves, JBL's on the floor and an AR subwoofer) but I'm getting a lot of tear out/distortion on the trumpet solo in 'Why Can't We Be Friends'. Is this just my system? It's certainly rare.
ReplyDeleteYes Mike that solo is really abrasive. It doesn't distort on my stereo but its really coarse to listen to - just the recording. I am gonna check the Mosaic set...
ReplyDeleteThank you for the FLAC :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for that reply, Poppa. That track just came back in my rotation and I had to zero out the treble to listen to it.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I can tell you is that I rip well below the point of distortion. My rips are generally quiet and you may notice they will need a boost of volume compared to others.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly not a problem on your end. Keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly not a problem on your end. Keep up the good work!
Hi Poppa, so good to see that you're keeping on with the Basie posts, please don't stop: the
ReplyDeleteCount's word should be spread as much as possible and you might also come up with
something I don't have, like the wonderful “Standing Ovation” live at the Tropicana
of a few months back, but that is secondary :) By the way, I recently found another
rip of that album, needs some de-clicking, but sounds very nice otherwise. Please give me
a sign if you wish to have it. The Japanese released a remastered CD version of it but
I haven't been able to find it so far. Anyone? It would be quite a treat hearing it in pristine
sound, as that record is a real knockout.
And now, if I may, for you Poppa and all the Basie-ites here at the Crypt, a rare LP, never
seen thus far on any blog I know: “The Count In England”, not to be confused of course
with “Basie In London” (which was actually recorded in Gothenburg, Sweden).
I'm not sure whether this is a legitimate release or not, however it has become
a favorite of mine since I first listened to it.
The music itself is so good it's ridiculous, the boys in the band are in great spirits
and clearly having a ball, and humor abounds.
Unfortunately, the sound of the original files was fastidiously dull and muddy,
so I took the liberty of performing a quick remastering with Ozone
in order to give this magnificent music some justice, and now it
sounds pretty good for a vinyl rip of a 1959 live recording.
Not to be missed, friends!
The Count In England:
http://www8.zippyshare.com/v/spdpT0gQ/file.html
http://www3.zippyshare.com/v/PzXMnjfr/file.html
Wow... thanks Mike for the encouragement. Arvin I just got back from a family engagement but I will DEFINITELY check that out. The Basie will keep rolling on although I doubt that too much of it will be new to an already fan. Thanks for the great comment, love hearing from you as always. I will check back in here once I have a listen...
ReplyDeleteDouble miraculous surprise !! Sometimes, it's rewarding to come late in the comments zone. So, thank you both, Arvin & Poppa, for these two rips ! You made my day !
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words, so glad you appreciated my little offering, I'd love to know your opinion on this practically unknown album.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to tell that I'm not responsible for the fade ins/outs – included the very awkward one in the middle of “Plymouth Rock”, and you may also notice that the bass is very often “buried in the mix” and that of course is a shortcoming of the source material as well, same as two rather noticeable (and irreparable) dropouts, the worst one being at the very end of the final “One O'Cock Jump”.
I might be able to provide a couple more “bonus” Basie releases in the future (with thanks to you, Poppa for the warm hospitality) but have yet to figure out what's best - and rarest, hopefully...
@ bho wani: thanks bro, your joy is my joy!
"One O'COCK jump"? Ha ha, solid... THAT's a funny typo!! :)
ReplyDeleteArvin!!! Fantastic rip, really happy to have this one. Sorry but I just am getting around to listening. Would you mind if I make a proper post for it, credited to you of course?
ReplyDeleteOf course man! I'd be honored if you did! In fact I considered suggesting that, but I thought
ReplyDeleteit would have been too self-indulgent... Anything I might post in the comment box is first
and foremost a present to you Poppa and the other beloved authors of this blog, you
can do whatever you like! As for your kind appreciation, well I haven't done anything special,
just a little remastering 'cos the sound of the original files (mp3, not my rip) just wasn't
happening. I'm happy you liked it!
Yes really happy. I was looking through my various Basie boots and live albums and most of them are either really early years or later. Not alot from the Atomic band, which is why I would like to post it. Do you do much ripping yourself?
ReplyDeleteDo I do much ripping myself, you ask... Well you just hit a sore spot, which has to do
ReplyDeletewith us (my lady and me) being on the verge of moving house for too long, but not
finding the right house for sale to move into. We had bought in the early noughties
a country house which was really nice but for various reasons unsuitable so
we got rid of it. As a result, all my vinyls, tapes, hi-fi system, etc. are now stored
at my mom's house in another town and I got no access to them :(
For now... :)
The Arvin shall rise again!!!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for this one
ReplyDelete