Product Description

Count Basie delivers a spectacular show live from Carnegie Hall on March 20, 1981 celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of his illustrious career. This all-star tribute celebrates also features Sarah Vaughn, Tony Bennett, George Benson, and Joe Williams.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #58887 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-05-13
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Full Screen, Live, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 120 minutes

Customer Reviews

Snapshot of Greatness(es)
Ok, it's good early 1980s tv video and the sound feels mono, if crisp and full. No liner notes. Who was in this Basie band (aside from some named, and very fine soloists, including Sonny Cohn)? Minor points. Here is almost two hours of big band bliss, most of which takes place in a very well (George Wein) produced Carnegie Hall program featured on CBS Cable in 1981. Count Basie was in his final years (wracked by arthritis which fortunately did not affect his piano artistry), though ones which saw some very fine Pablo recordings and reissues. His class and style are all documented here with a band that could swing and punch like none other of his or any other time. Throw in Joe Williams and Sarah Vaughan at the height of their powers (I'd pay the price just to watch Sarah sing Send in the Clowns, something I saw her do in person shortly before she died), George Benson when he cared about swinging, and Tony Bennett at his best, and you have a stunning evening that was fun and musically superb. The concert is introduced by flashbacks to earlier Basie Bands, a great interview of John Hammond (who discovered Basie and other artists on the film) and chats with the featured performers. Anyone interested in big bands, swing, and the history of jazz should both order this dvd and lean all over the company that brought it out to dig deep in the archives for more of same.

"legendary icon in his last televised performance ~ Basie!"
When you think of the swing era, one name stands above the rest ~ Count Basie! He was the epitome of swing and stayed in the background to let his band do their thing ~ and do their thing they did. Just sample their legendary performance with "Count Basie at Carnegie Hall", featuring some of the top names in the business. Alphabetically we have Tony Bennett, George Benson, Sarah Vaughn and Joe Williams, plus the all star tribute in which we celebrate the 50th anniversary in Basie's brilliant career.

On this premiere jazz program we enjoyed hearing and seeing "SWEET GEORGIA BROWN", "WELL, ALL RIGHT, OKAY, YOU WIN", "APRIL IN PARIS", "SHINY STOCKINGS", "BOOTY'S BLUES" and my favorite jazz tunes "IN A MELLOW TONE", nothing can compare or come close to that Basie sound. When Basie and his fellow musicians would swing, it would hit you right between the eyes ~ their delivery was like no other with a jolt that would send you into the stratosphere, gotta love it!

Just a few words about Tony Bennett and Sarah Vaughn, they are in a class by themselves, quality and professionalism all the way. George Benson was just wonderful. But the highlight of the evening was Joe Williams singing his signature song "EVERY DAY I HAVE THE BLUES", a favorite of Johnny Carson (Tonight Show), Williams would always sing that song when appearing on Carson's Show ~ watch Basie's face when listening to Williams (his first son) performing that tune ~ much like a proud Father. Notice at the end of the show with the credits, Vaughn and Williams dancing the Jitterbug, hey they certainly could dig it...and I know you will when you watch this spectacular live event from Carnegie Hall on March 20, 1981...which was nominated for a Cable "Ace" award for excellence. If you're a Basie fan this is a must have...don't pass this one up!

Total Time: 120 mins ~ Kultur D2120 ~ (5/13/2003)

Homage To Basie
Great to see/hear Basie, even in his last days, even in a wheel-chair. And Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughn, and Tony Bennett were fine--Vaughn's "Send in The Clowns" was sensational--although I wish Bennett had sung Basie, "Littl' Darlin'" etc., instead of Ellington--it was awful to see Basie put aside by Vaughn and Bennett's piano players--How could they! Did they think that Basie didn't know their tunes!--and Benson was irrelevant. Good introduction of historic Basie photographs and informal before-the-show interviews. Standard, well-done, video recording of concert: Low-key, nothing fancy, no calling attention to itself. Carnegie Hall wasn't a topic. Basie was beautiful!