- Audio CD (15 Nov 2006)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Decca (UMO)
- ASIN: B000000Z0F
- Other Editions: MP3 Download
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 151,243 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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11 reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
An essential meeting !!!
11 April 2002
Format:Audio CD
Zoot Sims never played in Count Basie's band; too bad ! A lesterian tenor player,and a very very talented one,he could have made magnificent things in this orchestra.This extraordinary 1975 reunion,a quartet one,with John Heard on bass and Louie Bellson on drums,let us discover an outstanding piano player,Count Basie,and an amazing tenor player,Zoot Sims."I never knew" is almost as furious as Lester's version,in the god old days;Bellson's telluric drumming marvels here.Don't forget that Louie Bellson,born Luigi Balassoni in 1924,and still alive,happened to be Duke Ellington's drummer in the early fifties,just before the immense Sam Woodyard."It's only a paper moon",a Nat King Cole's classic,offers great opportunities for Zoot and Count to solo.Now,after these two tracks,you know that Basie was a stride piano player."Blues for Nat Cole",dedicated to the King,is a typical Kansas City blues,in which Bellson introduces the theme with a Jo Jones-like charleston playing.Zoot is at his most lesterian playing,something he did like no one could.This damned Irish man could really swing like mad!!! Bellson's drumming is perfect,always in K.C's mood,and his Buddy Rich-like precise and definitive playing ,with many shades of Jo Jones,marvels all through the tune."Captain Bligh",another blues,includes some very economical but very swinging playing by the Count,and again,some very lesterian (so some very very swinging) playing by Zoot.He really plays great here ! Fats Waller's classic "Honeysuckle rose" is beautifully played by Basie,who learned from Fats how to play organ,and some piano tricks too.Then comes Zoot for another very swinging solo."Hardav" is the blues,reminding of the old "Harward blues" that Little Jimmy Rushing used to sing with the band,many years ago."Mean to me" belongs to Billie Holiday since that recording session of May 11,1937,but here,Zoot blows a perfect response to Billie's singing,38 years before.Finally,"I surrender dear" introduces Basie playing organ (with a sound reminding of his mentor,Thomas Waller),and beautiful ballad playing by ZootSims on this tune that Coleman Hawkins made his,many years ago.A very beautiful meeting between two men who should have played together for a long time,but who never recorded together.And a great opportunity to discover Count Basie's piano playing,one of the most original ones of jazz.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Straight Ahead Swinging Jazz
30 Sep 2003
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a beautiful no nonsense album! I have been a fan of Zoot and the Count for decades but this is the first time I've heard them together (1975) and it's the first time since the early Decca sides that I've gotten a chance to hear the Count stretch out. Good grief what a clinic in straight ahead swinging piano playing. My last records of Zoot were from the 50's. He has changed somewhat in his tone (heavier and a little rougher) and his style (a little more economical and less complex - if that's possible). Occasionally I will hear an old Zoot phrase sneak in - anyway, he still swings in the unique Lesterian sense. The real pleasant surprise to me is the bassist John Heard who is new to me. What a wonderful line he lays down. Finally, Louie Bellson is unobtrusive while firmly driving the group.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Quite a toe-tapper!
13 Nov 2002
Format:Audio CD
Quite a toe-tapper, actually. Nice to hear Basie show his stuff in an uncluttered context. Zoot is also in fine form, as they are mutually inspired. With the tasteful support of bassist John Heard and drummer Louie Bellson, they play at the peak of their creative abilities. Basie's rare and effective use of electric organ on the last number, the ballad entitled "I Surrender, Dear", is an added treat. Highly recommended to fans of small band swing.
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