Details

Field of Interest

Jazz

Content Type

Music recording

Duration

50 mins

Format

Audio

Sub Genre

Piece, Vocal Jazz

Label

Verve Records

Performer

Ella Fitzgerald, 1917-1996, Count Basie, 1904-1984, Joe Williams, 1918-1999, Henry Coker, Benny Powell, Bill Hughes, Wendell Culley, 1906-1983, Reunald Jones Sr., 1910-1989, Thad Jones, 1923-1986, Joe Newman, 1922-1992, Frank Foster, 1928-, Charlie Fowlkes, Billy Graham, 1918-2018, Marshall Royal, 1912-1995, Frank Wess, 1922-, Freddie Green, 1911-1987, Eddie Jones, 1929-1997, Sonny Payne

UPC (Physical)

00731455980622

Date Recorded

1956-01-01

Release Date

1999-06-22

Review

This recording could be considered a near-sibling to April In Paris, since several of its tracks date from sessions out of the same month. Others overlap with material cut for The Greatest! Count Basie Plays . . . Joe Williams Sings Standards, and it isn't as compelling a record, either as a Joe Williams vehicle or a Basie showcase, as either of those, though it does have its moments, most notably the original finale, Arranger Ernie Wilkins' "From Coast To Coast," an eight and one half minute blow-out; the Ella Fitzgerald-Joe Williams duet on "Too Close For Comfort," and the title track, rearranged by Wilkins but close to the classic rendering, which features lively solos by Frank Wess, Benny Powell, Frank Foster, and (especially)Joe Newman and Henry Coker. Williams is the dominant presence on the album, singing on seven of the original 10 tracks, and his presence is a bit of a drag on some of the proceedings, especially "Only Forever." His work with Basie from this era is better represented on Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings, although he and the band acquit themselves very well here on "Stop, Pretty Baby, Stop," where all hands are firing on all cylinders at once for a change. The bonus tracks include a heavier, punchier outtake of "One O'Clock Jump" featuring the same soloists, plus a Williams-solo version of "Too Close For Comfort." The CD is a good package, with superb sound, though some historical notes would've been nice to put the sessions in perspective. A handy mid-priced reissue. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide

Subject

Jazz, Music & Performing Arts, Vocal Jazz, Jazz Vocal

Keywords and Translated Subjects

Jazz Vocal