alain’s dance blog

For Lindy Hoppers, if you have to remember one musician, remember Count Basie.

Count Basie is probably the most significant band leader for swing dancers. His bands played the most swinging songs. His bands played for dancers. And his rhythm section was always relentlessly driven.

“Count Basie was among the most important bandleaders of the swing era. With the exception of a brief period in the early ’50s, he led a big band from 1935 until his death almost 50 years later, and the band continued to perform after he died. Basie’s orchestra was characterized by a light, swinging rhythm section that he led from the piano, lively ensemble work, and generous soloing.” Read the rest of the article by William Ruhlmann here.

Swing DJs and jazz historians alike distinguish between two periods of Count Basie recordings, Old Testament (pre-1950) and New Testament (1952 onwards).

Here is the easiest way to distinguish the two. The “Old Testament” band recorded in Lo-Fi - meaning that you’ll hear an older, scratchier sound. In contrast, the “New Testament” post-war band recorded in modern Hi-Fi, with a sound we are more accustomed to today.

My pick for “Old Testament” Basie: Best Of Early Basie

Best Of Early Basie has most of my favorite Basie tunes. You probably noticed this on my Top 5 Basie, as three of my favorites can be found on this compilation album. In addition to those classic Lindy Hop tunes, you can also find the amazing jam song Doggin’ Around, a song with so much energy you’ll end up sweating with a smile.

My pick for “New Testament” Basie: Chairman Of The Board and Count Basie At Newport

For New Testament recordings, I love Blues In Hoss’ Flat off Chairman Of The Board. It really swings! And just like Jenifer, I also adore Evenin’ off Basie At Newport. Jimmy Rushing has such a great voice on this recording. This 1957 concert at the Newport music festival on Rhodes Island brought together some of the best known jazz musicians having played with Basie - musicians like Lester Young, Illinois Jacquet and Roy Eldridge. As a result, the performances are stellar. All the songs on this album are worth listening and dancing to.

Today it was the Count of Swing. Next time, it’s on to the Duke.

This entry was posted on July 29, 2007 at 12:06 pm and is filed under About jazz music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.