Count Basie - Basie At Birdland - 2 x 180g Vinyl LPs

2 LPs

"The two discs have been expertly remastered for vinyl by Pure Pleasure Records, bringing the crisp ensemble unisons and floating solos out very clearly. Towards the end of two tracks you can even hear the voice of Birdland’s diminutive MC Pee Wee Marquette shouting out his appreciation of the music. I bet all the patrons on these felt the same."
Reviewed by Derek Ansell COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA - Basie At Birdland (jazzviews.net)

SHINDIG REVIEW 5***** "There simply was no band that swung as hard as Basie's, and on the evidence of tracks like "Little Pony" and "Basie", it's hard to disagree. TP

November 2020 hifi news Ken Kessler

One of Basie's tightest lineups, at one of New York's best-ever venues- the subtitle says it all: Recorded Live at 'The Jazz Corner Of The Worl'. Dating from June 1961, the set ran to 17 numbers, spread over two LPs and possesing that magical sound of Roulette label (which also haracterises their open-reel tapes). For recreating a club atmosphere, this album is hard to beat, while the music is instantly appealing even if jazz has often eluded you. This is swinging bepop and blues-y, gutsy big band, with Basie's signature 'One O Clock Jump' getting the full treatment plus two teasers, a terrific' Corner Pocket', and a knock -out scat version of 'Whirley-Bird'. KK

Sound Quality 90/100

Re-mastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London

'Basie at Birdland' is a 1961 live album featuring Count Basie and his famed orchestra playing at Birdland in New York City. Recorded on June 27-28th of 1961, and released just one month later in July of that year, 'Basie at Birdland' proved once again that Count Basie was one of the world's best players, band leaders, and flag bearers of Jazz. Birdland, the self-proclaimed, 'Jazz Corner of the World' provides a raucous, lively backdrop to the band's soulful Kansas City style Jazz, on tunes like, 'Blue Backstage', and 'Good Time Blues' alongside their harder hitting, big band bop. 'Basie at Birdland' features the Count at the height of his prowess, and he and his band's fervent, swinging performance cannot be missed - it's perfect for novices and aficionados alike.

This is a jaw-dropping recording of Basie's band in 1961. The band is so tight and swings so hard it sounds at times as if one is listening to a Wurlitzer organ. There simply was no band that swung as hard as Basie's - at least not as recorded on this live date. Amazing.

Simply the best live recording of a big band ever!

REVIEW - hifi news November 2020 by Ken Kessler
One of Basie's tightest line ups, at one of New York's best-ever venues- the subtitle says it all: Recorded Live at 'The Jazz Corner Of The World'. Dating from June 1961, the set ran to 17 numbers, spread over two LPs and possesing that magical sound of Roulette label (which also haracterises their open-reel tapes). For recreating a club atmosphere, this album is hard to beat, while the music is instantly appealing even if jazz has often eluded you.
This is swinging bepop and blues-y, gutsy big band, with Basie's signature 'One O Clock Jump' getting the full treatment plus two teasers, a terrific' Corner Pocket', and a knock -out scat version of 'Whirley-Bird'. KK