Chairman of the Board [Bonus Tracks] Count Basie Artist

Although it appeared at a time when {|Count Basie|} was enjoying respect from all quarters (as evidenced by the {|pop|} acclaim of several Grammy awards and the {|jazz|} faithful's enthusiasm for his concert at Newport), {|Chairman of the Board|} was... Read more

Although it appeared at a time when {|Count Basie|} was enjoying respect from all quarters (as evidenced by the {|pop|} acclaim of several Grammy awards and the {|jazz|} faithful's enthusiasm for his concert at Newport), {|Chairman of the Board|} was, comparatively, a low-profile session. The record was surrounded in {|Basie|}'s discography by several prize-winners and a parade of studio collaborations -- with vocalists {|Tony Bennett|}, {|Lambert, Hendricks & Ross|}, and {|Billy Eckstine|}, plus arranger {|Neal Hefti|}. This 1958 date for {|Roulette|} was a rare chance for the orchestra to perform on its own, and listeners to hear how powerful the band could be when its concentration was undiverted. Of course, {|Basie|}'s band already possessed three fine arrangers ({|Frank Foster|}, {|Thad Jones|}, and {|Frank Wess|}) and at least a dozen solo voices. Each of the ten songs on {|Chairman of the Board|} were originals by {|Foster|}, {|Jones|}, {|Wess|}, or {|Ernie Wilkins|}, all of them arranged by the composer. The record is admittedly heavy on the {|blues|}, but it's a brassy, powerful vision of the {|blues|}; {|Foster|}'s {|Blues in Hoss' Flat|} and {|Wilkins|}' {|Kansas City Shout|} take the band back to its hometown, beginning with a subtle swing but ending with a raucous display of power from each section. The contributions by {|Jones|} and {|Wess|} provide a necessary complement to that forceful swing. {|Jones|}' {|Speaking of Sounds|} employs the woodwinds to provide color and texture, while {|Wess|}' {|Segue in C|} relies on bassist {|Eddie Jones|} and {|Basie|}'s piano to lead the band while {|Wess|} himself takes several choruses on alto sax. A dynamic date, it shows the new testament edition of {|Basie|}'s orchestra in top form. ~ John Bush Less