I wanted the album that featured the perennial favourite “Blues in Hoss’s Flat”. I’d had a version from a greatest hits, and seeing as how hi-fi, new testament Basie is always in fashion, I thought I’d pick up this recommended favourite. It doesn’t hurt that I’m on an anti-preswing kick at the moment.
So this album is pretty good. Highlights – “Moten Swing” and “Blues in Hoss’s Flat”. Again, not all the best dancing, but still an example of a really good later big band.
Another Basie gem I keep coming back to is The Count Basie Story. Two CDs of hi-fi new testament Basie big band action. They play some of the old school favourites, and while there’s no going past the older sound, this is a pretty freakin’ good album.
Count Basie’s Chairman of the Board
