boomac Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Why cant we have bands like this today? With all the crapola on TV & Movies you would think people would go nuts over this kind of talent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IB Slammin Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Why cant we have bands like this today? With all the crapola on TV & Movies you would think people would go nuts over this kind of talent! Sometime in the mid to late 70's, a buddy and I went to see the Count Basie Orchestra at a supper club called Zigfield's in Tulsa, OK. We sat in a curved booth center stage. We were a couple of long-hairs in three piece suits (surrounded by 70 year olds) and living large. He just blew us away! Couldn't believe so many could play so tight! No PA that night, completely pure sound. After they stopped playing, we went over to the bar for a night-cap. A short, heavy set man with a funny cap sat down and said "hello, my name is Bill Basie". We closed the place drinking with Mr. Bill. Still have the Zigfield cocktail napkin with his autograph, stuck in a book somewhere. Man, if I could only reproduce the sound that I heard that night! tc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Don't laugh at me, but..................Woody Herman's Thundering Herd, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra are pretty darn good, also Brian Setzer's Big Band is nothing to sneeze at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomac Posted October 28, 2007 Author Share Posted October 28, 2007 I cant imagine anybody laughing old buckster. Woody Hermans bands were hot! Miller had a great sound as well. My uncle, (just turned 80) really knows big band. He loved them all but claims Basies had the edge with Duke right behind! If you don't already have it, pick up Frank Sinatra at The Sands with Count Basie. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Great story IB Slammin! Experiences like yours contribute greatly to the quality of our lives. I met Louis Armstrong at a music circus in Lambertville, NJ many moons ago. I can still picture him decked out in a heavily starched white dress shirt even though it was sweltering hot! I still have the program and it holds one of my favorite autographs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Well I'm about to find out about this man and his band. Picked up about 25 of Count Basie this weekend. Mostly Pablo label so I presume they are reissues but in incredibly minty shape. I'll give a couple a listen and let you know my thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 As much as a "Rock n' Roller" that I am, I do enjoy the music of the Big Bands from time to time, I realize they aren't considered a Big Band, but the Preservation Hall Jazz Band is one fine unit, but you didn't hear that from me.................[]...............or, the Funk Brothers........[Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Woody Herman, The Duke, Basie, Stan Kenton, etc., etc. I love 'em all and have quite a few LPs from each. I don't listen all the time but when I'm in a sentimental mood........Listened to my MFSL copy of Woody's "The Fourth Herd" tonight and was blown away as usual. I also love all the Sinatra/Basie, Sinatra/Ellington, etc. They could really swing man. Marty - I have a couple Basie/Fitzgerald on Pablo (red and orange vinyl). Good stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldenough Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Gary, i believe that it was you that gave a recommendation for "The Timekeepers" another Pablo recording, Basie with Oscar Peterson, highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomac Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 One more time! "April in Paris" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Thebes, the Pablo records are generally very good, especially "Pablo Live" lps. I have a Basie live on pablo that is on red vinyl that will blow you away with its presence of being "there." It might be a direct to disk effort I'm not sure and not around to check on it. At any rate, I recommend the pablo live lps whole-heartedly. Enjoy yours... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 As for Count Basie he is my all time favorite big band leader. His style was totally unique that no else can quite duplicate, with it's laid back timing that's almost off yet isn't, the big fat sound of the ensemble parts, and the joyful, sparse and humorous solos and comping of Basie himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 One more time! "April in Paris" Once again, once! "April In Paris" The only problem with the red vinyl is you can't see the scratches unless they're REALLY bad. Makes buying them a gamble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckasaaron Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I'm trying to remember if there was a Count Basie/ Frank Sinatra collaboration at some point, anyone know what its called? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 There are college bands doing the Big Band thing. And some professional bands are out there. OTOH, I have "In the Digital Mood" and "After Midnight". These recordings, in my listening, are perfect technically and perfect performances. Still, they seem to lack that quality sometimes called, soul. Maybe they are swing without swing . . . much like recent day "covers" are recognizable as poor mimics of the original. Gil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marting Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I know of three: Sinatra Basie, It Might As Well Be Swing, and Sinatra at the Sands. I have the first two and I've heard people say Sinatra at the Sands is very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomac Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 As I mentiond - this is a good one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 Thebes gave me a bunch of Count Basie LPs yesterday to see which (if any) I'd like to pick up. Long ago, I liked his very unified, bouncy, invigorated style, but haven't heard him for a while. I'd like some expert recommendations for special LPs among the following -- I only want to keep 1 to 3: Here's the list: Prime Time Me and You On the Sunny Side of the Street (Ella & Basie) A Classy Pair (Ella and Basie) Send in the Clowns (Sarah Vaughan and Basie) Count Basie: Kansas City 3 "For the Second Time" (Louie Bellson & Ray Brown) Count Basie and the Kansas City 7 I Told You So Farmers Market Barbecue Basie Big Band Warm Breeze [digital] The Timekeepers (Basie & Oscar Peterson) 88 Basie Street For the First Time Thanks! Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 Bump -- anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 Why cant we have bands like this today? With all the crapola on TV & Movies you would think people would go nuts over this kind of talent! You've been to the "big time" L.A. jazz clubs, Scott. 25 people listening to Jack Sheldon at Jax? 75 at Charlie O's for the likes of John Heard and Roy McCurdy? Maybe 150 people at The Bakery for Benny Golson? That's the state of jazz these days. But next time you come to L.A., try to stay over on a Monday--big band night at Charlie O's is pretty amazing. The Frank Capp big band is there about once a month--very much in the Basie bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 Allan, Where you been? Out cruisin' with the wife in that beautiful pickup? Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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