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)

Count Basie - Kansas City Suite: The Music Of Benny Carter

Now here's a real classic in the Basie discography.  Penned by Benny Carter, the songs are a thematic nod to Basie's hometown.  The material has an old school big band vibe, from the heyday of the 30's and 40's.  The band handle this with great ease, and add a real modern twist.

The thing I love about these songs, are the incredible dynamics which only a high caliber band like Basie's can deliver.  They shift back and forth from roaring to quiet at the drop of a hat.  Sometimes they spring it on the listener within a beat, and other times they slowly work towards it.  In either case, the playing here is about as interesting as jazz gets.

As the band move through the suite, they are also able to convey so many moods and feelings.  That's why I love Basie so much, behind the top notch playing is always a soulful groove to capture not just your mind , but your heart too.  Sigh...  they don't make 'em like this anymore, but we can still look back.

This was ripped from my minty Forum reissue at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  Overall it's nice and quiet, and of course has wonderful dynamics.  The bass is really well mixed and even thumps at certain points.  I still have quite a few great Basie sides to share... enjoy!!!

Roulette Records ‎– SR 52056

1960

A1 Vine Street Rumble 3:33
A2 Katy-Do 4:19
A3 Miss Missouri 5:10
A4 Jackson County Jubilee 2:30
A5 Sunset Glow 2:27
B1 The Wiggle Walk 3:53
B2 Meetin' Time 3:23
B3 Paseo Promenade 3:23
B4 Blue Five Jive 3:56
B5 Rompin' At The Reno 2:14

Count Basie (piano); 

Sonny Cohn, Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Snooky Young (trumpet); 

Henry Coker, Al Grey, Benny Powell (trombone); 

Marshall Royal, Frank Wess, Frank Foster, Billy Mitchell, Charles Fowlkes (reeds); 

Freddie Green (guitar); 

Eddie Jones (bass); 

Sonny Payne (drums).

Count Basie - One More Time

Since everyone seemed to enjoy the last side so much, One More Time seemed a logical choice for our next venture.  It should be also noted that we went a bit off track by posting a Verve album - this project is supposed to be a look at Roullette.

There's a good chance that most of you will find "groovemaker" preferrable to this.  That said, One More Time is a strong album of catchy tunes.  Once again, Quincy Jones was called upon to write, and with glorious results.  The opener, For Lena and Lennie, sums up the difference of this side very nicely, a mid to low tempo statement piece.  From this point however, the band leaps into action with Rat Race - filled with glorious soloing and interaction.  Overall, this is classic Basie serving an interesting and provoking big band session.

This album has some surface noise, which cleaned up nicely.  Ripped from my stereo Forum reissue at 24/44.1 wav, and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  Much like the previous post, we are treated to some wonderful fidelity.  A largely open soundstage with natural reverb between channels.  When the band digs in, the brass has that wonderful bite which only a big band can provide.  One of my favorite line ups...  enjoy!!!

Roullette R-52024
Originally released in 1959
Recorded in New York City on December 18-20, 1958
except #3, 7, 8 & 10 recorded in Chicago on January 23-24, 1959

Bass – Eddie Jones
Drums – Sonny Payne
Guitar – Freddie Green
Piano – Count Basie
Saxophone – Billy Mitchell, Charlie Fowlkes, Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Marshall Royal
Trombone – Al Grey, Benny Powell, Henry Coker
Trumpet – Snooky Young*, Joe Newman, Thad Jones, Wendell Culley
Written-By – Quincy Jones

A1  For Lena And Lennie    3:57
A2  Rat Race     2:57
A3  Quince     3:55
A4  Meet B B     3:35
A5  The Big Walk     2:55
B1  A Square At The Roundtable     2:16
B2  I Needs To Be Bee'd With     3:29
B3  Jessica's Day     4:24
B4  The Midnite Sun     Never Sets 3:34
B5  Muttnik     5:25

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.

Roullette: At The Roundtable

By 1959 Herman had broken up his Third Herd and was utilizing a sextet filled with important young players. This live LP from 1959 (the only recording of this group) finds him well-featured on both alto and clarinet with a band that also boasts trumpeter Nat Adderley, acoustic guitarist Charlie Byrd and Eddie Costa on piano and vibes. All 12 selections (mixing together standards and forgotten originals) have their enjoyable moments. A rare chance to hear Woody Herman as a key soloist in a small group. - Scott Yanow

Forum (F 9016)

1959





A1  Black Nightgown   

A2  Pea Soup   

A3  Just A Child   

A4  Petite Fleur   

A5  Lullaby Of Birdland   
A6  Inside Out   
B1  The Swingin' Shepherd Blues   
B2  The Deacon And The Elder   
B3  Princess "M"   
B4  Moten Swing   
B5  Early Autumn   
B6  The Late Late Show   

Bass – William Betts;  Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Woody Herman;  Drums – Jimmy Campbell
Guitar – Charlie Byrd;  Piano – Eddie Costa;  Trumpet – Nat Adderley

____________________________________________________________________

Recorded at the Roundtable nightclub in New York City on July 1, 1959, this performance marked the beginning of a new, penultimate phase of Jack Teagarden's recording career. His Capitol Records contract having ended the previous spring, he then performed for the portable recording equipment of Roulette Records, which would release some of the sides recorded at this gig as a live album, and which would, for a time, revive his fortunes. Although he's a little less agile and powerful, having reached his late 50s after a career's worth of constant work, and some health problems (later resolved), the cohesiveness of the band makes this release well-worth hearing. The group, in a typical live set, plays seven Dixieland warhorses and the obscure "When" (which was written by the King of Thailand). Teagarden, trumpeter Don Goldie, clarinetist Henry Cuesta, the great stride pianist Don Ewell, bassist Stan Puls, and drummer Ronnie Greb put on a lively, crowd-pleasing show highlighted by "South Rampart Street Parade," "St. James Infirmary" (sung by Teagarden), "St. Louis Blues," and Ewell's feature on "Honeysuckle Rose." [Note: as of 2005, At the Roundtable has never been reissued on its own, but is part of Mosaic's Complete Roulette Jack Teagarden Sessions, augmented with a significant body of unreleased track from this same performance.]  - Bruce Eder

Roullette R25091

Roundtable Nightclub, NYC 1959

Don Goldie (tp, vcl);  Jack Teagarden (tb, vcl);  Henry Cuesta (cl);  Don Ewell (p),

Stan Puls (b);  Ronnie Greb (d).

A1  South Rampart Street Parade   

A2  St. James Infirmary   

A3  Big Noise From Winetka   
A4  When   

B1  St. Louis Blues   

B2  Honeysuckle Rose   

B3  Stardust   

B4  When Tha Saints Go Marching In 

_____________________________________________________________________________

Steve Allen was a jack of all trades as a comedian, television star, author, musician, and prolific composer, but he has been dismissed by a lot of critics as a lightweight performer and songwriter. Allen never clamed to rival Art Tatum as a pianist, or the likes of Cole Porter or Duke Ellington as a composer; he saw himself as an entertainer first. Surrounded by a strong supporting cast during this live engagement at the Roundtable (with Allen hamming it up on the cover photo in a suit of armor), Allen doesn't hog the spotlight but keeps his solos rather brief and gives his sidemen plenty of solo space. His opener "Roundtable Boogie" features guitarist Mundell Lowe, vibraphonist Terry Gibbs, and clarinetist Gus Bivona; while Allen isn't in the league of Meade Lux Lewis and Pete Johnson, he is a more than competent boogie-woogie player (he was once complimented on his boogie-woogie playing by Teddy Wilson, who confessed he had problems playing it himself!). Gibbs swings like mad in a fun-filled take of "I Got Rhythm." "Even Stephen" is actually a wild reworking of "Jeepers Creepers." Doc Severinson adds his swinging trumpet to Allen's rousing closer, "Baby, But You Did." Although this won't be an essential recording for the average jazz fan, anyone who enjoys Steve Allen will be delighted to acquire this record.  - Ken Dryden

Roullette Records
SR-25053
1959

A1 Roundtable Boogie   
A2 Why Don't You Want to Go Home   
A3 I Got Rhythm   
B1 Even Stephen   
B2 I Thought About You   
B3 Baby, But You Did

Steve Allen (piano); Mundell Lowe (guitar); Gus Bivona (clarinet, saxophone, alto saxophone);
 Doc Severinsen (trumpet); Terry Gibbs (vibraphone); Gary Peacock (bass instrument);
Gary Frommer (drums).