Count Basie and Joe Williams - Just The Blues

Re-upped by request... even if only one person benefits from this re-up, it was worth it to me.  A must own album for any jazz fan.  I also want to let you guys know that "Basie Rides Again" is still active.

This is without a doubt my favorite Basie/Williams side, and overall, one of my favorite Basie albums.  Some of you have undoubtedly picked it up from me at a couple of other blogs, but it's never seen light at the Crypt.

Basie and Williams masterfully interpret the blues using all of their skill.  At moments, Basie has the band roarin while at others, you would think it's little more than a trio backing Williams.

This has never seen a CD reissue but was infact included on the Basie Mosaic set.  My copy is actually an EMUS reissue, which I bought still sealed.  I can tell you that this is one of my greatest rips - ever.  For those of you who have followed my posts, I think you know that I don't make statements like that too often.  The dynamics are perfect and this album will really hit you in the gut at different points.

Just The Blues was ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  My hope is to share my Basie Roullette vinyl, most of which is unavailable and OOP.  The last iteration of The Crypt was seriously lacking Basie, lets change that.  Enjoy!!!

Roullette Records
R-52054
1960

A1 Confessin’ The Blues
A2 Mean Old World
A3 Trav’lin’ Light
A4 Key To The Highway
A5 Lyin’ Woman
B1 Chains Of Love
B2 Mean Mistreater
B3 Keep Your Hand On Your Heart
B4 Night Time Is The Right Time (When The Sun Goes Down)
B5 Tomorrow Night

Sonny Cohn, Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Snooky Young (tp)
Henry Coker, Al Grey, Benny Powell (tb)
Marshall Royal (cl,as)
Frank Wess (as,ts,fl)
Frank Foster, Billy Mitchell (cl,ts)
Charlie Fowlkes (bar)
Count Basie(p)
Freddie Green (g)
Eddie Jones (b)
Sonny Payne (d)
Joe Williams (vcl)

Joe Williams - Live! A Swingin' Night At Birdland

I'm sure many of you already have this one, but for those who don't... here's a treat.  Joe Williams backed by a quintet of pros in a small club, Birdland.  We are even treated to an intro from none other than Pee Wee Marquette.

This one is a winner from start to finish and has many nuances of a live performance.  Very intimate.  Brought to you in glorious mono, the fidelity is superb as the vinyl is clean.  24/44.1 wav dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC... enjoy!!!

In 1961, after six years as one of the main attractions of  Count Basie's orchestra, Williams (with Basie's blessing) went out on his own. One of his first sessions was this live recording, cut at Birdland with a strong quintet that featured trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison and Jimmy Forrest on tenor.  Williams mostly sings standards and ballads, but also tosses in a few of his popular blues (including "Well Alright, OK, You Win" and "Goin' to Chicago") during a well-rounded and thoroughly enjoyable set. - Scott Yanow / AMG

1. September in the rain (Warren-Dubin)
2. Come back baby (Mina-Bromley)
3. Five o'clock in the morning (Joe Williams)
4. By the river St.Marie (Warren-Leslie)
5. This can't be love (Rodgers-Hart)
6. Teach me tonight (DePaul-Cahn)
7. Well alright (Faye-Raye-Howell)
8. I was telling her about you (Charlap-George)
9. Have you met Miss Jones? (Rodgers-Hart)
10. Well oh well (Gillis-Bullard)

Roulette R-52085
1961

Joe Williams (vocal), Harry Edison (trumpet), Sir Charles Thompson (piano), Jimmy Forrest (tenor sax), Joe Benjamin (bass), Charlie Persip (drums)

Count Basie and Joe Williams - Memories Ad-Lib

As promised, we will keep the Basie train-a-rollin'.  This side is equally as monumental as the previous post, but a beast of another kind.  For those of you who haven't heard it, clear off a space on your shelf for favorites because you will be adding another title shortly.

Basie on organ?  Check.  Basie with only a small group?  Check.  Freddie Green shredding solos?  Check.  As you can see, this is a far from typical venture for Basie.  With Williams, they swing through what were at that time, old school classics.  The album has a wonderfully warm and sentimental vibe not just from the songs, but the treatment they get from the group.  Sweets appears only on a few tracks, but even still, its a rhythm driven album centered around Williams ever present voice.

I'm not sure what part of the world you are all from.  I know some are in warmer regions and some in rainy, moderate areas.  Here in Canada the snow has broken, and as of this writing I am watching a snow globe scene outside my window.  As this albums lulls in the background, I can't help but feel good.  And that folks, is the greatest part of Memories Ad-Lib.

This is another mint deluxe EMUS reissue, in stereo - a gorgeous rip.  Be sure to check out the liner notes, which were penned by none other than Leonard Feather.  Caught at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  I hope this adds something to everyone's weekend, or perhaps even your holiday.  Enjoy!!!

Roullette R52021
1958

Count Basie - organ;  Freddie Green - guitar;  George Duvivier - bass;  Jimmy Crawford - drums;
Harry 'Sweets' Edison - trumpet;  Joe Williams - vocals.