HutchFan

Great article, Mark. More great avenues for Q exploration.

I don't have One More Time. Adding that one to my list. TOTALLY agree on the others.

I like Hefti's work on that album more than on the more famous Atomic Basie record. Ooops!

Here are five albums from Basie's New Testament band. All of them are stone-cold classics. IMO, you really can't go wrong with any of these: One important thing to consider when you're digging into New Testament Basie: Who's the arranger? You mentioned the Atomic Basie record. That's Neal Hefti, one of many arrangers who wrote charts for Basie in the 50s and thereafter. Each arranger that Basie hired brought a little something different to the table -- even if all of them work within Basie's overall sound. Frank Foster's arrangements have their own touches that are quite different than Hefti's. Same with Ernie Wilkins, Benny Carter, Quincy Jones, Sammy Nestico, Chico O'Farrill, Bill Holman, and so on. For my money, the most interesting NT Basie arrangers are Frank Foster and Benny Carter.

Count Basie has been in heavy rotation lately -- and I can't seem to stay away from this CD in particular: I've never been to a breakfast dance. Would've been fun to be at this one!

Well, I can see what you mean TtK. The tempo is definitely more deliberate on the Columbia recording, and it changes the character of the piece considerably. At the slower pace, "Coming on the Hudson" sorta reminds me of "Monk's Mood." It's much more contemplative. I like 'em both. Different days, different tempos, no?

Maybe because In Action was recorded in a live setting? Just speculating. Who knows! Incidentally, I heard the 5-Spot version first and know it much better -- and the tempo feels perfect to me. But I'm going to grab Criss-Cross now and give the Columbia version a listen.

Lucky Thompson / Gigi Gryce in Paris (BMG; originally Disques Vogue) Thompson plays exquisitely on these 1956 recordings.

This again: Love the Caribbean vibe.

NP: Richard "Groove" Holmes - Jazz Milestone Series (Pacific Jazz) MG, Jim - Thanks for the info on the other (sorta) Prysock-Basie LP. Since I have their Verve album on LP, I'll keep an eye out for Mr. Prysock and Guest on Old Town.

Adding it to my list!

For some reason, I thought The Streets of San Francisco theme was written by Lalo Schifrin. I guess not. Maybe I confused it with Schifrin's music from Bullitt.

I know and love the Roulette record with Basie & Bennett. ... I'm not familiar with the Columbia LP. I should rectify that! What's the other one, Jim?

James Moody - Comin' on Strong (Argo, 1964) The best cut on this LP might be Moody's take on Sonny Rollins' "Sonnymoon for Two." Moody doesn't sound anything like Sonny, but one thing the two men have in common is their profound rhythmic sense. Seems like EVERYTHING they play is danceable.

Next up: It's always fun to hear singers backed by Count Basie's big band. From the singer's point of view, it must've been like cruising down the road in a brand-new Cadillac. "New elegance, new excellence, new excitement!"

Now on my 'table: Les McCann - In San Francisco (Pacific Jazz) with Herbie Lewis & Ron Jefferson

Rooster, There's a Wounded Bird reissue of Five Stars that shows up every now & then on Dusty Groove. It's inexpensive.

Yes, I agree. Maybe even more powerful than the original albums. No let-downs at all. Just the cream.

Tremendous.

The Tony Williams Lifetime - Spectrum: The Anthology (Verve/Chronicles)

Hilarious. The way that term is used bothers me too. I think a great many of us have felt the same with regards to our own shelves !

via YT: I heard Freddie at a jazz festival in the mid-80s. It sounded a lot like this record.

More Shirley Horn: