Search - Count Basie :: At Newport Live

Brilliant swing reunion

Nikica Gilic | Zagreb, Croatia | 11/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Brilliant!



This is swing music at its best, the power and energy of classic Basie band recreated in the age of stereo technology. For, Lester Young (one of two swing-era candidates for the best tenorist ever), Jimmy Rushing (perhaps the best blues singer in jazz) and Jo Jones (probably the best swing-drummer) return to the flock.

What a performance - a festival whithin Newport festival!



These veterans give the orchestra (powerful on its own) a new impetus - more than anything else in hard, merciless drive. Solos and obligattos by Young are beautiful, combining brutal blues "primitivism" with proto-modern harmony and tone in Young's inimitable way; Rushing is in his musical prime, while "Papa Jo" does what he does best - Basie's big band remains the most inspiring musical environment for him and he is rhythmicaly as inspiring as ever.



Naturally, the part of the CD with singer Joe Williams (sans Rushing, Young and Jones) although excellent, is not on the level of the recordings with these older giants, but than again, how could it be? It is a pitty that this sort of reunion was not more common.



In addition to great colaboration in the first part of the concert, another giant of swing, Roy "Little Jazz" Eldridge (bop-buffs know him as the musical daddy of Dizzy Gillespie), climbs to the stage to join Young, Jones and Illinois Jacquet for powerful big-band finale. The piano work of Bill Basie, the arragements and ensemble work are top class throughout, so I'm really wondering why You haven't purchased it yet?

Some 15 years ago I first heard "Evenin'" (with Rushing's macho but lyrical rendition of the verse) and "Sent for you yesterday" (which rocked my old phonograph) on two Verve compilations and ever sice that moment I was wondering what the entire album sounds like. It turned out to be one of my favorite CDs, and, although I'm not an expert, probably one of the finest moments in the history of swing style. Young passed away not long after this reunion (although he lived long enough to hear the record) and, sadly, no concert like this one will ever take place again.

Here are some gratuitous links to Basie, Rushing, Jones, Young, and Eldridge albums... Lester Young with Oscar Peterson Trio Pres and Teddy First Time: The Count Meets the Duke April in Paris Kansas City 5The Bosses Brubeck & Rushing Five Feet of Soul Every Day I Have the Blues Goin' to Chicago: The Best of Jimmy Rushing with Count Basie and His Orchestra The You and Me That Used to Be Roy and Diz Little Jazz: Trumpet Giant Happy Time Loose Walk"