Search - Count Orchestra Basie :: Basie Is Back

THE BASIE "SHOUT" IS BACK

Chris Liakos Basie Jazz | Alpharetta, Georgia United States | 10/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since Basie's death, there have been several Basie wanabees trying to play/record the old Basie standards. With a few notable exceptions most were just "good tries". Bill Hughes' "Basie is Back" sounds more like Basie -- than even Basie. The arrangements herein are true to Basie; just as I heard them a hundred times before. Even without the liner notes you will recognize Corner Pocket, Blues in Hoss'Flats,In a Mellow Tone and April in Paris. Segue and Discommotion will blow your mind.



What made the various Basie bands so great were his musicians. He always had the best people. His sax section sounded "as one": the brass was exciting with real POWER. I could spend my whole life just listening to the Count's piano and that rythem section. Here in "Basie is Back", the solos are just as recognizable and as memorable as in the original Basie recordings. These new soloists play with the same zeal and freshness as Wess, Foster, Lockjaw, the Joneses, Gray, Woods, and Sonny did. This is the first time I have heard these "new guys", but I am going to get familar with their work. They play together "as one", too. There is real talent here. And a bonus is Butch Miles. His drums drives this new Basie band just as he did for Basie 30+ years ago.



Thank you Bill Hughes for giving me back my "Basie fix". I had forgotten how good Basie made me feel."