Search - Count & His Orchestra Basie :: On My Way Shoutin Again

Basie's well-oiled machine and a stupid digipack

Elwood Conway | Frankfort, KY United States | 02/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In my opinion, Basie's band was in top form from the mid 1950s until about 1966. This recording (1962) falls within that timespan and the band is tight! Basie's band was always so much more polished than nearly every other big band of the era (possible exception being Woody Herman;s band of the same era). They could bring the fire and still make a splendid ballad. No wonder Frank, Ella, Sammy, Tony and other singers loved this band so much. My only complaint is the digipak (digipack). These things stink. The plastic CD tray has already caused a bunch of scuffing wear on the back cover. If companies must release these recordings without jewel cases, at least go the mini-LP route (with its own resealable outer plastic sleeve, just like the Japanese do). At least this way you have something that replicates the original vinyl release and is much more collectable/desirable."