Count Zero

This interesting CD mostly reissues the V-Discs of Count Basie's Orchestra, performed during a time when the musicians' union strike kept the Basie band off records. Lester Young is heard back with Basie on five numbers from May 27, 1944. Otherwise, the band was much more stable than most swing bands of the war years, making it to December 1944 when it was able to resume its recordings for the Columbia label. There was not much change in the orchestra's swinging style during this era, as can be heard on such enjoyable pieces as "G.I. Stomp," "Yeah Man!," "Circus in Rhythm," two versions of "Taps Miller," and "Old Manuscript."

This CD features a logical combination: singer Diane Schuur with the Count Basie big band. In what would be longtime rhythm guitarist Freddie Green's final performance, Schuur and the Basie ghost band (under the direction of Frank Foster) perform material that includes her standards (such as "Deedles' Blues" and "Climbing Higher Mountains"), Dave Brubeck's "Travlin' Blues" and the Joe Williams-associated "Everyday I Have The Blues." Unfortunately, the Basie band is mostly used in accompaniment without any significant solos, but Schuur sounds quite comfortable in this format and her voice is in prime form.

Led by musical director Scotty Barnhart, the Count Basie Orchestra keeps Basie’s unmistakable style alive and thriving around the world.In the great traction of the Basie Swings albums comes this explosive album of collaborations with some of the greatest living blues and jazz artists, Basie Swings The Blues. In preparation for these sessions, Barnhart took a pilgrimage to the Mississippi Delta to immerse himself in the land where blues began. The resulting album is joyful mix of downhome blues with the deep swing and sophistication that only The Count Basie Orchestra can provide.

Top Gear: Sub Zero Driving Anthems was the eleventh compilation album produced by BBC Worldwide and released in 2008 on EMI/Virgin Records' TV subsidiary. 42 tracks were spread out over two discs.

Count Basie - Complete Original American Decca Recordings (1937-1939) [3CD Set] {2000 Disconforme 24-bit Remaster}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 514 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 400 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 54 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2000 Disconforme / Definitive Records | DRCD 11173
Jazz / Big Band / Swing

All the tunes recorded by this legendary label. Each volume represents one year's recording activity: 1937, 1938 and 1939. Featuring Lester Young, Buck Clayton, Jo Jones, among others. Newly remastered. I don't have much to say about this compilation. Hey, it's Count Basie from the late 1930s! What more need be said?! Just listen to the "skeletal" piano by the genius Count Basie. Talk about the use of white space! And, of course, that absolutely KILLER rhythm section! I will mention that all of the tracks are presented in the sequence they were recorded except for the alternate takes which are at the end of each disc respectively. Presumably, the alts presented here were recorded at the same time as the masters (as implied, though not overtly stated, in the booklet).