Count Basie

Featuring: Joe Newman, Wendell Culley, Reunald Jones (tp), Henry Coker, Benny Powell (tb), Ernie Wilkins, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Paul Quinichette, Lester Young (saxes), Count Basie, Oscar Peterson (p), Freddie Green (g), Ray Brown (b), Gus Johnson (d)

In 1951 Count Basie began to build a new band. Though he had some veterans, most of the musicians were young and relatively unknown. Quietly but surely Basie molded the 16 men, changing personnel when he had to, until he had built a band of proper Basie stature, one which could hold its ground when compared with the remarkable outfit of 1936.

The rhythm section, of course, was the focal point of the band if only because it is responsible for most of the real excitement. Not counting out the Count, and the powerful rhythmic guitar of Freddie Green, the individual star here was drummer Gus Johnson, whose driving beat was exceptionally clean. The brass was almost as good as the rhythm, with such young talents as trumpeter Joe Newman and trombonists Benny Powell and Henry Coker. Marshall Royal, a talented veteran, led the excellent sax section, featuring tenorists Paul Quinichette, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, and even the great Lester Young is heard as a guest in the live performances.

Above all, this band swings, swings from the rhythm section out, sets every figure with a moving beat and never lets a soloist down. That’s a lot to say of any band, but this is a lot of band.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. The New Basie Blues
02. Sure Thing
03. Why Not
04. Fawncy Meeting You
05. Jive at Five
06. No Name
07. Redhead
08. Every Tub
09. Jack & Jill
10. Bread
11. There’s a Small Hotel
12. Hob Nail Boogie
13. Basie Talks
14. Paradise Squat
15. Paradise Squat (short version)
16. UFO
17. Like a Ship at Sea
18. Bunny
19. Tippin’ on the Q.T.
20. Blee Blop Blues
21. The New Basie Blues
22. No Name

CD 2
01. Cash Box
02. Bootsie
03. Tom Whaley
04. Be My Guest
05. You’re Not the Kind
06. Let Me Dream
07. Sent for You Yesterday and Here You Come Today
08. Goin’ to Chicago
Live at “Birdland”
09. Introduction: One O’Clock Jump
10. Fancy Meeting You
11. I’ll Always Be in Love with You
12. Blee Blop Blues
13. Bread
14. Spoken Interlude
15. Jumpin’ at the Woodside
16. Closing Theme: One O’Clock Jump
17. Introduction: One O’Clock Jump
18. Little Pony
19. You’re Not the Kind
20. Why Not
21. Spoken Interlude
22. The New Basie Blues
23. Every Tub
24. Basie English
25. Closing Theme: One O’Clock Jump

Personnel on CD 1:
Count Basie & His Orchestra: Paul Campbell, Joe Newman, Wendell Culley, Reunald Jones (tp), Henry Coker, Benny Powell, Jimmy Wilkins (tb), Marshall Royal (cl, as), Ernie Wilkins (as, ts), Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Paul Quinichette (ts), Charlie Fowlkes (bs), Count Basie, Oscar Peterson (p), Freddie Green (g), Ray Brown, Gene Ramey (b), Gus Johnson (d) and Al Hibbler (vcl).

Recorded in New York City, January & July, 1952.

Arrangements by Sy Oliver, Neal Hefti, Nat Pierce, Don Redman, Ernie Wilkins, Buster Harding, Andy Gibson, Buck Clayton & A.K. Salim.


Personnel on CD 2:
Count Basie & His Orchestra: Paul Campbell, Joe Newman, Wendell Culley, Reunald Jones (tp), Henry Coker, Benny Powell, Jimmy Wilkins (tb), Marshall Royal (cl, as), Ernie Wilkins (as, ts), Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Paul Quinichette (ts), Charlie Fowlkes (bs), Count Basie, Oscar Peterson (p), Freddie Green (g), Ray Brown, Gene Ramey (b), Gus Johnson (d) and Al Hibbler (vcl).

Recorded in New York City, July & December, 1952.

Arrangements by Andy Gibson, Teddy McRae, Ernie Wilkins, Buck Clayton & Nat Pierce.

Personnel on live tracks:
Count Basie & His Orchestra: Paul Campbell, Joe Newman, Wendell Culley, Reunald Jones (tp), Henry Coker, Benny Powell, Jimmy Wilkins (tb), Marshall Royal (cl, as), Ernie Wilkins (as, ts), Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Paul Quinichette (ts), Charlie Fowlkes (bs), Count Basie (p, org), Freddie Green (g), Jimmy Lewis (b), Gus Johnson (d), Bill Hanrahan (master of ceremonies). Special Guest: Lester Young (ts).

Recorded live at Birdland, New York City, July and August, 1952.

Arrangements by Neal Hefti, A.K. Salim, Ernie Wilkins, Nat Pierce & Eddie Durham.


24-Bit Digitally Remastered