Search - Paul Quinichette :: Basie Reunion

Nice!

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 02/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1958 session was the second of two Count Basie oriented albums Swingville put out (the first, FOR BASIE, was issued in 1957). All the musicians here are Basie alumni (even pianist Nat Pierce, a Basie influenced player if there ever was one, did arranging for the Count in the early 50s). The biggest kick for me is being able to hear baritone saxist Jack Washington stretch out solo-wise; he never really got his due in that role with the band (certainly not as much as Harry Carney did with Duke's band). He's a wonderful, gutsy player, especially forceful on ROSELAND SHUFFLE. Paul Quinichette is less a direct copy of Lester Young than usual on this date and seems to me in many spots (ROSELAND SHUFFLE again) to be purposely trying to distance himself from the master. Trumpeter Shad Collins is warm and lyrical as usual, especially on open horn. Buck Clayton's blues piece LOVE JUMPED OUT is a particularly handsome tune. Five tunes make up the CD - 3 swingers and 2 medium blues. It's a most relaxed and enjoyable set, definitely worth checking out."