Count Basie Basie Jam (Pablo Series)

180g Vinyl LP!
Mastered by Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab from the Original Analog Master Tape!
Pressed at QRP!
"Basie Jam" is probably one of the best swing music ever recorded. The record was produced by Norman Granz and Pablo Records. Granz, who was responsible for one of the biggest jazz labels of all time - Verve - knew what he was doing in the studio.
The big band sound of Count Basie dominated the dance halls and the airwaves for almost two decades. This recording from the end of 1973 presents him with an eight-piece band. As the title suggests, it is a jam session. The playing time is just under 50 minutes, and with only five tracks on the album, this shows that the musicians have been given ample opportunity to unfold. And they do!
The mastering was done by Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab, the pressing was done at Quality Record Pressings.
Basie Jam is two sides of some of the best swing ever recorded. This record was produced by Norman Granz and Pablo Records. Granz, responsible for one of the greatest jazz labels ever — Verve — knew what he was doing in a studio.
The Big Band sound of Count Basie and the other orchestra leaders dominated dance halls and the airwaves for almost two decades. This late 1973 session features the Count with an eight-piece band. As the title indicates, this recording is like a jam session, so all the tracks are based around the blues. After a classic Basie Piano intro the first track "Doubling Blues" swings like mad, but then you notice there's something different going on when the solos start. What's different is that Basie is playing organ for most of the rest of the track and the difference is amazing. The little piano phrases that we're all so used to hearing Basie play aren't there. Then after six minutes the piano comes back in and we finish the track with Basie as we started.
For more of Basie's organ playing have a listen to "One-Nighter" — a lovely medium tempo number on which he plays a restrained introductory solo, before Zoot Sims plays the opening tenor sax solo.
The running time is just under 50 minutes, and with only five tracks on the album that tells you that the musicians were given plenty of opportunity to stretch out. They do, and it's well worth getting a copy of this album.
Mastered by Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab from the original analog master tape. Pressed at Quality Record Pressings for superior sound quality, and housed in a handsome Stoughton Printing tip-on gatefold jacket.

Features:

• 180g Vinyl
• Mastered by Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab from the Original Analog Master Tape
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings
• Stoughton Tip-On Gatefold Jacket

Musicians:

• Count Basie, piano, organ
• Louie Bellson, drums
• Ray Brown, bass
• Irving Ashby, guitar
• J.J. Johnson, trombone
• Harry Edison, trumpet
• Eddie Davis, tenor sax
• Zoot Sims, tenor sax

Selections:

Side A
1. Doubling Blues
2. Hanging Out
3. Red Bank Blues
Side B
1. One-Nighter
2. Freeport Blues