Hey gang!! More from our look at the "Atomic Band"... Basie during his Roulette years. This offering is interesting for a few reasons, but overall, it's a solid and excellent album.
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!!!
I hope you guys are excited to see this one here today... God knows I am excited to be sharing it. More from our look at Basie's Roulette years. This album has NEVER been issued on CD, with the sole exception of the Mosaic box set. As you can see from the title, these compositions come from Frank Foster. There's no doubt that this album remains in relative obscurity in spite of the overall quality and the fact that the title track was a huge hit for Basie's live show during this time. I would say that "Kansas City Suite", an album of Benny Carter tunes, trumps this album in popularity. That said, I prefer this LP in both compositions and performance - its excellent!!!
The band heard here is at its height as a unit, "The Atomic Band" as some like to call it. As much as I love the old two track mono LPs, this stereo version does alot to showcase the power and nuance of this band. I've said it on previous reviews: Basie was a master of subtlety and could make his orchestra sound both like a freight train passing, or like a pin dropping in a quiet room. As time continues to pass, his music ages like a fine wine. The appreciation for exactly what his orchestra was capable of grows and grows. This well oiled machine is firing on all cylinders on Easin' It.
Personally I think the tenors win the day here. Its fitting of course as the music was penned by a tenor player!! The countless solos are as riveting as they are appropriate - always tasteful and suited to the mood. Another stand out characteristic is Freddie Green's guitar. The mix really favours him here and he can be heard really well. Overall I find this album ebbs and flows much like "Kansas City Suite", so much that its hard to believe that it's not a suite itself. This stereo LP was ripped at 24/48 and transferred to FLAC for your convenience. The near mint, flawless transfer will have your jaw on the floor - gorgeous hi-fi sound, exactly what a stereo album should be. Full hi-res scans are included at 300dpi... enjoy!!!!!
Roulette Records – SR-52106
1963
A1 Easin' It - Basie
A2 Brotherly Shove
A3 Blues For Daddy-O
B1 Four, Five, Six
B2 Misunderstood Blues
B3 Mama Dev (Blues)
B4 It's About That Time
Tracks A1 to A3 recorded in New York City, December 14 & 15, 1960.
Track B1 recorded in New York City, July 1, 1962.
Tracks B2 to B4 recorded in New York City, July 25 & 26, 1962.
Alto Saxophone – Frank Wess, Marshall Royal
Baritone Saxophone – Charlie Fowlkes Clarinet – Marshall Royal Composed By – Frank Foster Double Bass – Art Davis (tracks: B1), Eddie Jones (tracks: A1 to A3), Ike Isaacs (tracks: B2 to B4) Drums – Louis Bellson (tracks: B2 to B4), Sonny Payne (tracks: A1 to B1) Flute – Eric Dixon (tracks: B1 to B4), Frank Wess Guitar – Freddie Green Piano – Count Basie Tenor Saxophone – Billy Mitchell (tracks: A1 to A3), Eric Dixon (tracks: B1 to B4), Frank Foster, Frank Wess Trombone – Al Grey (tracks: A1 to A3), Benny Powell, Henry Coker, Quentin Jackson (tracks: B1 to B4) Trumpet – Al Aarons (tracks: B1 to B4), Flip Ricard (tracks: B1 to B4), Joe Newman (tracks: A1 to A3), Snooky Young (tracks: A1 to A3), Sonny Cohn, Thad Jones
I hope you all had a great Christmas!! My family sure did...
As we continue down Basie lane, this album seemed a logical choice after the last Basie small group. This group is infact a septet with Wess and Foster switching out for roughly half the album each.
Unlike the last album, the rhythm keeps the swing movin' while the focus is kept upfront. Basie pulls out some incredible solo work himself in his inimitable style - sparse and soulful.
I think the main thing that keeps this album in a class of it's own, is the playlist. The majority of small group swing albums lean on the jam side of things, while this side has a much more focused approach to the material. Of course, the soloing is top notch and inspired, but the song arrangements are much more than a simple jam style. With composers like Wess, Foster and Thad Jones on board it can only be expected.
This album is certainly a small group swing classic, and if you haven't heard it yet you're in for a treat. My album is near mint, and the fidelity is nothing short of perfect. Wonderfully dynamic with a great focus on bass - Ed Jones really pops in different parts. Bluesy swingin, in all of it's glory. Ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC... enjoy!!!
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!!!
