(Review
by Peter Bevan)
This CD arrived too
late for my regular CD review column in the Northern
Echo but I think it’s well worth a plug here.
Normally I’m pretty
averse to Christmas albums, jazz or otherwise, and long running tribute bands
normally start to fade after a while, but this made me think again.
It’s 80 years since
the original Count Basie Orchestra was launched and it’s been 30ish since this
revival band was formed.
Scotty Barnhart, a
member of the trumpet section for 20 years, was appointed director a year or
two ago and judging by this he has revitalised the band.
What also helps is
that veteran arranger Sammy Nestico, now 90, was persuaded to come up with two
new arrangements, his first for the band in 35 years – Jingle Bells and Good “Swing”
Wenceslas, and Big Phat Band leader and Grammy winner Gordon Goodwin
arranged It’s the Holiday Season, The
Christmas Song and Sleigh Ride with
other arrangements by Scotty Barnhart and Frank Foster among others.
Two more veterans,
both octogenarians also contribute – pianist Ellis Marsalis plays some suitably
sparse but swinging piano, and tenor player Plas Johnson guest solos on I’ll be Home for Christmas.
The three vocals are
by Johnny Mathis on It’s the Holiday Season, Ledisi on The Christmas Song and
Carmen Bradford – originally hired by Basie himself – brings us Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas but
the rest are instrumentals.
The album was
produced by former Basie drummer and seven-time Grammy winner Gregg Field who
obviously can’t resist sitting in on some tracks.
What makes it
worthwhile for me is that it does seem to capture the sound and spirit of the
Basie band with great ensemble and solos with that distinctive rhythm section
with suitably sparse piano from both Ellis Marsalis and Llew Matthews and
notable rhythm guitar from Will Matthews.
Detailed notes
identify all the soloists and arrangers.
You can hear samples
on Amazon’s website where they’ve also got several rather enthusiastic reviews.
Peter Bevan.
The Count Basie Orchestra directed by Scotty Barnhart with very special guests Johnny Mathis, Ledisi, Ellis Marsalis, Llew Matthews, Carmen Bradford, Gregg Field and Plas Johnson.
The rhythm section: Ellis Marsalis piano, Marcus McClaurine bass, James Leary bass, Will Matthews guitar, Clayton Cameron drums.
Saxophones: Marshall McDonald alto and flute; Cleave E. Guyton Jr, alto, flute, piccolo; Doug Lawrence tenor, flute; Doug Miller tenor; Jay Brandford baritone.
Trumpets: Mike Williams lead; Bruce Harris. Endre Rice, Kris Johnson.
Trombones: David Keim lead, Clarence banks, Alvin S. Walker, Wendell Kelly
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