Release Date: 01 June 2020
Label: Pure Pleasure Records
Packaging Type: Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 5060149623022
Genres: Jazz  
Release Date: 01 June 2020
Label: Pure Pleasure Records
Packaging Type: Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 5060149623022
Genres: Jazz  
Description
180g audiophile vinyl reissue, remastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London.
'Basie at Birdland' is a 1961 live album featuring Count Basie and his famed orchestra playing at Birdland in New York City. Recorded on June 27-28th of 1961, and released just one month later in July of that year, 'Basie at Birdland' proved once again that Count Basie was one of the world's best players, band leaders, and flag bearers of Jazz. Birdland, the self-proclaimed, 'Jazz Corner of the World' provides a raucous, lively backdrop to the band's soulful Kansas City style Jazz, on tunes like, 'Blue Backstage', and 'Good Time Blues' alongside their harder hitting, big band bop. 'Basie at Birdland' features the Count at the height of his prowess, and he and his band's fervent, swinging performance cannot be missed - it's perfect for novices and aficionados alike.
This is a jaw-dropping recording of Basie's band in 1961. The band is so tight and swings so hard it sounds at times as if one is listening to a Wurlitzer organ. There simply was no band that swung as hard as Basie's - at least not as recorded on this live date. Amazing.
Simply the best live recording of a big band ever!
"The two discs have been expertly remastered for vinyl by Pure Pleasure Records, bringing the crisp ensemble unisons and floating solos out very clearly. Towards the end of two tracks you can even hear the voice of Birdland's diminutive MC Pee Wee Marquette shouting out his appreciation of the music. I bet all the patrons on these felt the same." - Derek Ansell, Jazz Views
"There simply was no band that swung as hard as Basie's, and on the evidence of tracks like "Little Pony" and "Basie", it's hard to disagree." - ***** Shindig!
Tracklisting
Nina Simone
Archie Shepp & Mal Waldron
The Descendants Of Mike & Phoebe
Lyman Woodard Organization
Lonnie Liston Smith
Nat King Cole
David Murray
John Stubblefield
Count Basie
Count Basie
Count Basie
Count Basie
Judy Garland
Count Basie, Slim Gaillard & Nat King Cole
Various Artists