Basie Swings

Product Description:

Personnel: Count Basie (piano); Tony Bennett (vocals); Marshall Royal, Frank Wess, Frank Foster, Billy Mitchell, Charles Fowlkes (saxophone); Thad Jones, Snooky Young, Wendell Culley, Joe Newman (trumpet); Henry Coker, Al Grey, Benny Powell (trombone); Ralph Sharon (piano); Freddie Green (guitar); Eddie Jones (bass); Sonny Payne (drums).

Producer: Teddy Reig.

Reissue producer: Michael Cuscuna.

Recorded at Capitol Studios, New York, New York from January 3-5, 1959. Includes liner notes by Barry Ulanov.

This 1959 collaboration between Count Basie and Tony Bennett is truly a gem. While Basie himself plays only on two out of the 12 selections, his spirit is present throughout the entire album, apparent in the way the band swings, and even in Bennett's inspired singing.

On BASIE SWINGS, BENNETT SINGS we hear a variety of tunes from ballads to up-tempo and vigorous swinging charts. The opening track, "Life is a Song" is simply rapture-filled. Basie noodles bluesy licks in just the right spaces, while Bennett soars with vitality, zeal, and of course great technical skill. Other highlights include the big band anthem "Chicago," and "Growing Pains"; on the latter, Bennett's subtlety gives the music a delicate sheen. A superb album, BASIE SWINGS, BENNETT SINGS is one of the Basie orchestra's most expressive collaborations with a vocalist.