Count Basie Atomic Mr Basie ( 180g orange vinyl LP )

Release date 01-09-2009(originally released in 1957)

2019 EU re-issue ( 180g orange vinyl LP ) Represents the finest accomplishment of Count Basies New Testament big band. His Old Testament band of the late 1930s featuring stars Lester Young, Herschel Evans, Dickie Wells and Buck Clayton, perfected the bluesdrenched straight 4/4 rhythm of Kansas City swing. Building on the blues foundation this 1950s band features more ambitious compositions and a more dynamic sound and incorporates more modern developments.

Tracks:
A1     The Kid From Red Bank
A2     Duet  
A3     Splanky 
A4     Flight Of The Foo Birds
A5     Double-O 
A6     Li'l Darlin'

B1     Whirly-Bird
B2     Midnite Blue
B3     After Supper
B4     Fantail
B5     Teddy The Toad
B6     The Late Late Show (bonux track)

Credits:

    Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Frank Wess
    Arranged By – Jimmy Mundy (tracks: B6), Neal Hefti (tracks: A6 to B5)
    Baritone Saxophone – Charlie Fowlkes
    Bass – Eddie Jones
    Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Marshal Royal
    Drums – Sonny Payne
    Guitar – Freddie Green
    Liner Notes [Original Liner Notes] – Barry Ulanov
    Liner Notes [Sleeve Notes 2009] – Alan Rice
    Photography [Photos] – X.
    Piano – Count Basie
    Tenor Saxophone – Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
    Tenor Saxophone, Arranged By [Arranger] – Frank Foster
    Trombone – Al Grey, Benny Powell, Henry Coker
    Trumpet – Snooky Young, Joe Newman, Thad Jones, Wendell Culley
    Vocals – Joe Williams

The release of this album in late 1957 marked the beginning of a glorious new phase in Count Basies career Signed to Roulette Records the newly formed label owned by Morris Levy the New York recording entrepreneur jukebox mogul club owner and quasiunderworld figure it took Basies core audience and a lot of other people by surprise as a bold forwardlooking statement within the context of a bigband recording if not as daring as what Duke Ellington had done at Newport in 1956 still a reminder that there was room for fresh even dazzling improvisation especially courtesy of Eddie Lockjaw Daviss contribution within the framework of a bigband jazz unit The band and its key members were all on for these two days of sessions and Neal Heftis arrangements gave all concerned a chance to show what they could do Eddie Lockjaw Davis stands out from the getgo with his solo on &Flight of the Foo Birds a rewriting of &Give Me the Simple Life on which the tenorman shares the stage with Thad Joness trumpet solo but nearly knock Jones off that same stage with his pyrotechnics Davis plunges into new territory defining the Basie Atomic period with his solo on &WhirlyBirds originally less aptly titled &Roller Coaster which soars into the air on his break Joe Newman and Thad Joness muted trumpets are the featured instruments on &Duet &The Kid From Red Bank offers an unusual showcase for Basie himself at the piano playing the least number of notes possible to surprise and bedazzle the listener while &Lil Darlin offers the Basie bands answer to Ellingtons &Mood Indigo See also The Complete Atomic Basie 1994 Bruce Eder. All Music Guide