Count Basie and His Orchestra Broadway Basie's...Way ABC/Command 1966

Count Basie and His Orchestra Broadway Basie's...Way ABC/Command 1972 CAT# RS905 SD


This is MOR Count Basie. He trudges through 12 show tune standards, thus the title, "Broadway Basie's...Way."

It's unimaginative, but that's not to say it's un-listenable. It'd be pleasant as background music if you don't have to pay attention to it. Of note, it was put out by ABC's Command label which was an early audiophile label founded by Enoch Light, who later to left to do Project 3 recordings. The label employed high tech recording techniques and material for the time which was aimed at getting the best recorded sound possible. So, in that regard, it's some high-quality background music that will sound crisp and clear pumping through a hi-fi system.

Frank Sinatra & Count Basie Orchestra It Might As Well Be Swing Reprise 1964

Frank Sinatra & Count Basie Orchestra It Might As Well Be Swing Reprise 1964

Admittedly, by this point, Count Basie was a long way from Kansas City.  He was big time, putting his name in with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and Frank Sinatra.  He had gone straight Hollywood by this point, but nevertheless, brought his Kansas City swing everywhere he went.

Outside of the obvious, Basie was teamed with a young Quincy Jones on the ablum.  The arrangements were all put together by Jones.  Jones was able to take then recently wrote pop songs and arrange them as if they were originally swing tunes.  The arrangements were then handed to Sinatra and Basie to perform.

The results are pretty spectacular, albeit very showbiz and very over-the-top.  Is is Sinatra,.though, so that's expected.  I wouldn't mind saying outside the previous album, Sinatra-Basie, it's the "coolest" Sinatra had sounded in years.  All told, it's a pop album, but with some jazz flourishes that Jones threw in to keep it interesting.  Basie just does what he does and held down the band.

Fly Me to the Moon

Count Basie & His Orchestra Kansas City Suite The Music of Benny Carter Roulette 1960

Count Basie & His Orchestra Kansas City Suite The Music of Benny Carter Roulette 1960 CAT# R52056

Love this LP and wish I didn't own a beat up later pressing on the Roulette Birdland Series, nice original would fit the bill, but, then again, there's a lot of records I want.

This LP was written by Benny Carter (not from Kansas City or a part of the scene, at least in the way Basie was) for Count Basie and his orchestra.  Carter named his tunes around clubs and areas in Basie's old stomping grounds, Basie gave it his KC swing, and they got a solid later day jazz album.

It's a solid outing and some featured soloist give the recordings an added flourish.  However, I just love it for all the Kansas City in it.  The skyline photo is great.  Song titles are fantastic: "Vine Street Rumble," "Miss Missouri," "Jackson County Jubilee," and the "Paseo Promenade" all still hold immediate relevance today.  The other tracks apparently are centered around KCMO as well, but would likely require more research.  I'm content with the obvious.

Vine Street Rumble