Search - Randy Sandke & New York All-Stars :: Count Basie Remembered 2: Live in Hamburg

Basie tribute 2

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 10/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The New York All Stars is a group of revolving players fronted by trumpeter Randy Sandke that seems to appear exclusively on the German Nagel Heyer label. For this outing Sandke has Dan Barrett (tb) Brian Ogilvie (reeds) Billy Mitchell (ts) Mark Shane (p) James Chirillo (g) Bob Haggart (b) and Joe Ascione (d). Most of the program consists of Basie or Basie-associated tunes, and the playing is on a consistently high level. Half the selections (SWINGIN' THE BLUES, MOTEN SWING, BIG NOISE FROM WINNETKA, BROADWAY, and THE KING) are taken up-tempo, and they are the best tracks on the disc. Mitchell actually played with Basie for about four years in the late 50's, and it's good to have his tenor force on board here. Barrett plays beautifully on slower tunes, and Sandke proves once again why he's one of the top trumpeters playing today. Recorded in concert on 11/2/96; there's a Volume 1 that has the rest of the concert, same personnel. Excellent!"