Jazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '62 (2006)

Count Basie Live in 62

This is a good concert dvd, it has exciting arrangements from slow swing/blues to explosive tempos such as the Old Man River arrangement. As a drummer this is an incredible learning tool to watch and analyse the Great Sonny Payne drive the band with impecable time keeping and excentric showmanship which adds to the excitment. A must have for any drummer who loves Jazz April 19, 2007

Classic performance, surprisingly good audio

The Jazz Icons series does a great service by preserving for us an important part of American musical heritage. I've been a Basie fan for a long time, and had the opportunity to see the band perform a couple of times with the Count at the helm, so I may be biased, but I think the Basie DVD is the best one of the series that I've seen so far. It features some of the Count's legendary sidemen. To name just a few: Frank Wess and Frank Foster in the sax section, Thad Jones and Snooky Young on trumpet, Sonny Payne on drums, and of course, Freddie Green on guitar.
Sonny Payne is on top of his game and is a delight to watch throughout the performance. Eric Dixon displays his big, warm tenor sax sound on a gorgeous interpretation of "You Are Too Beautiful." Other tunes feature impressive solo work from Wess, Foster, and Sonny Cohn on trumpet.
Any downside to this performance will be determined by personal taste. For example, the surprisingly up-tempo rendition of "Old Man River" is great, but Payne's drum solo is long and may try the patience of some listeners. Also, vocalist Irene Reid belts out her tunes with power and conviction, apparently trying to emulate the sound (and even the look) of Ella Fitzgerald, but she will not please everyone. By her third selection, I was getting tired of hearing her repeatedly shout in the same high-impact register instead of getting inventive with the melody.
For a 1962 Swedish Television recording, this session is remarkably well preserved and restored. It's in black & white, and the lighting is a bit off in some scenes, but the sound is great all the way. This is a collector's item that will be enjoyed over and over. April 12, 2007

A Blast From The Past - Beautiful!

At last, a DVD which has great historical value, great video quality (b & w) and good audio. Nirvana for the collector.

This is the way jazz DVD's should be produced - no stiff introductions (as the Norman Granz collection, otherwise fine), just a straightforward presentation of the music, which is great. The producers have apparently started with a pristine tape which belies its 42 years. The transfer is fine, and this is one great production, at a reasonable price too.

Five stars!



January 27, 2007

Outstanding

Every Basie video on the market is worth having, but this one is a must and probably the best. Not only does it boast such luminaries as Thad Jones and Snooky Young in their last years with the band but it also includes several seldom-heard items from the band's book, most notably great ballad features for tenor saxophonist Eric Dixon and trumpeter Sonny Cohn. In addition, the band's often-maligned drummer, Sonny Payne, is in top form, both in the rhythm section and on his feature, "Old Man River."

Great music at a great price! January 12, 2007

Quality of DVD

This DVD is excellent throughout, both video and audio. I have enjoyed it throughly. January 10, 2007

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