Track Listing

1. April in Paris
2. Corner Pocket
3. Didn't You?
4. Sweetie Cakes
5. Magic
6. Shiny Stockings
7. What Am I Here For?
8. Midgets
9. Mambo Inn
10. Dinner with Friends
11. April in Paris [#]
12. Corner Pocket [#]
13. Didn't You? [#]
14. Magic [#]
15. Magic [#]
16. What Am I Here For? [#]
17. Midgets [#]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8712 in Music
• Released on: 1997-06-24
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Album Details
Japanese 20bit Re-release featuring Eight Bonus Tracks: Shiny Stockings, April in Paris (Alternate Version), Corner Pocket (Alternate Version), Didn't You (Alternate Version), Magic (2 Versions), What Am I Here for You, and Midgets.

Amazon.com
Count Basie's band endured because of its leader's uncanny ability to put together fresh arrangements and strong soloists while maintaining the band's unique devotion to swing; this CD is among the most enduring of the big band recordings of the 1950s. The title tune is present in a justifiably famous rendition, a performance of swaggering swing and passion that was arranged by organist "Wild Bill" Davis. Frank Foster's "Shiny Stockings," now a jazz standard, made its debut here, while Joe Newman's "Midgets" recasts the band as a bop combo. Throughout the recording are terrific solos by trumpeters Thad Jones and Newman and tenor saxophonists Foster and Frank Wess, all basking in the band's glorious swing. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews

Very difficult to review.
I had a very tough time trying to decide how to rate this. On the one hand, it's something of a jazz classic, and probably the most famous of Basie's albums. On the other hand, the album is not his best. I've owned this album for a while, and although I have more Basie CDs than anything else, I just don't listen to this one that much.

For one thing, only the title track is really essential. I love "Shiny Stockings," but there is a much better version on "Basie in London." Some other favorites ("Corner Pocket," Sweetie Cakes") sound much better on the live "Corner Pocket" album. If you are a big Basie fan, I suggest you check out a few of the live albums, as Basie is ALWAYS better live. If you're a part-time jazz fan, or want an introduction, this may be for you.

To sum it up, I guess I'd say this. If you don't know Basie, this is a good place to start. If you DO know Basie, and still don't have this CD, you probably would be disappointed. I would rate this closer to 3 stars, but it does have appeal to new fans.

Sound quality is extraordinary. Basie is Basie!
Basie's "April in Paris" is probably my favorite instrumental. When I saw that it was on a regular cd and also a gold disc I wasn't sure that the gold would be worth the extra bread. Bought the gold and boy is it worth it! The sound reproduction is so accurate that you are with the band in the studio. "April in Paris" rocks with soaring trumpet solos and an arrangement of considerable wit. "Corner Pocket", another Basie standard swings easily, yet also shows the tightness of the Basie ensemble. "Shiny Stockings" and "What Am I Here For" are also sweet, swinging cool tunes. From beginning to end this album is chock full of Basie's coolness, humor and brashness. It's a band that doesn't say excuse me to anybody.

Good outtakes
This is one of the few discs where the outtakes are worthwhile. Usually, the differences are minor, and often I have trouble distinguishing one take from another. But here, they reveal Basie's re-working of some of the cuts at a basic level. The three takes of "Magic", for example, display radically different approaches to the piano intro. Of course, even without the outtakes, this is one of the highpoints of Basie's career anyway.