Count Basie - The Basie Big Band 20 Bit Mastering (9 tracks) +Album Reviews

Good but too short

W. Peart | USA | 03/16/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD contains very high quality recordings of some excellent, classic Basie songs. I highly recommend it, though I do wish it contained more tracks."

Lood Deeper!

Richard S. Thomas | 04/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I generally agree with othe reviewer but there is more here than meets the eye. First, the Basie Band recorded better in a live audience situation----more drive, more excitement, more fun! But not here. Perhaps the audience loss is made up by wonderful technical recording. There was also some interplay going on which we can't see. Second, the Boss's piano has a different sound-----a litte harpsichord feel which is not disturbing but interesting. Third, the intonation, attacks, phrasing, timing and each hearing the total is absolutely unmatched in Big Band. It is Mozartean in color, discipline and excitement. Finally, Butch Miles. Buddy Rich was the best drummer ever. Butch Miles is the best big band drummer ever. Rich was the band. Butch is of the band. His tasteful textures, never ending variety of accents and faultless timing pulls the whole thing together. The beauty of this recording is that one can hear him clearly. Butch has said that all he did was watch Basie and listen to Freddie Green. The truth is that all three listened to each other. This is the peak of Big Band led by Basie."

Big Band Beat

D. Fowler | CA USA | 10/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Basie's music and arrangements never go out of style. This one is no exception. Great big band arrangements executed with style and perfection.

I love Basie's very basic piano style along with explosive horns and a driving rhythm section. Outstanding!! Not unlike other Basie albums, but you won't be disappointed."

An All "Sammy Nestico" Originals Make This A 5-star For Me.

Robert J. Ament | Ballwin, MO United States | 05/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"although most of these are lessor known (I'm guessing) to the average fan.

Nonetheless, after listening to it several times before writing this, I have to upgrade it to a "5" from a "4" because of the really cool colorations (which still sound good after all these years)of the instrument blendings on "Freckle Face" and "Orange Sherbet", four trombones,bari and flute on the former and the same with the addition of trumpet on the latter. This was recorded in 1975 when the Basie orchestra started a big comeback by strengthening the band with the addition of drummer Butch Miles, in the school of Buddy Rich, the additions of Frank Szabo on trumpet, Danny turner, alto sax and the return of Charlie Fowlkes on bari. This was also the time the relationship between Basie and Nestico began.

To me the Basie band recordings have always seemed effortless......because it was always so professional that I, at least, sort of took the music for granted. Since I have really listened to the band more carefully the last ten years it is now apparent to me what a thing of beauty and craftsmanship it really was. Listen to the eloquent solo of Bobby Plater on alto on "Soft As Velvet" if there are any doubts. "Midnight Freight" is at such a slow tempo that as the liner notes state, only Basie could make this swing. Plater and one of my favorite trombonists, Al Grey, are the soloists on this one.....also dig the three unison flute on the entry. The driving tenor of Jimmy Forrest, of "Night Train" fame, is also featured on "Front Burner" and "The Wind Machine".

I picked up my original LP album in Palo Alto, CA in 1989 and since it has a few scratches I noted while transcribing it to cd, I decided tonight to buy the newer cd while I could still afford it.

Anybody who enjoys the music of Basie and/or Sammy Nestico will want this one"

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