Complete Clef/Verve Count Basie Fifties Studio Recordings CD

This eight-disc box set compiles the complete recordings Count Basie made for the Clef and Verve labels in the 1950s. In addition to Basie's perenially tasteful swing, the extensive set also includes previously unreleased tracks and alternate versions, as well as informative liner notes, making it a must for fans.

The eight CDs that make up this collection document the second rise of Count Basie's big band. The second band had been created at the urging of Billy Eckstine, who convinced Basie that even though the era of the large jazz-swing orchestra -- an era he was an architect of -- was by all appearances over, he could make a real go of it with his brand of blues and swing. Basie was initially skeptical, but agreed when he was offered other supporting opinions from the likes of Norman Granz and Willard Alexander. He set out to create an orchestra that was not as susceptible to personnel changes, and initially featured the charts of Neal Hefti and Nat Pierce, and later those of Frank Foster and Johnny Mandel, among others. The band began recording for Clef in 1952. They recorded for Verve during the same period, and issued a few sides for Mercury as well; all in the space of five years, until 1957. Paul Quinichette emerged as an outstanding soloist in this band, as did Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Marshall Royal, Frank Foster, and Thad Jones. It also marks the period when Joe Williams began his tenure as vocalist with the Count. The 146 recordings here, on The Complete Clef/Verve Count Basie Fifties Studio Recordings, include the A- and B-sides of 16 EPs, most of which were taken from three 10" LPs and 17 long-players, as well as from extended-version CDs. In addition to the complete issued recordings there are seven previously released alternate takes. Sound is reproduced to a very high standard -- especially given the source limitations of some of the masters. Furthermore, the extensive liner notes are typical of Mosaic's excellence, and were written by Chris Albertson. This one is limited to 10,000 copies. ~ Thom Jurek

When Basie reformed his big band in the 1950s, he managed to become entirely new by sticking with what had made him great from the start. And in the process, Basie achieved some of the most extraordinary success of his career. The original reel to reel tapes were the source for most of this release which contains 146 tracks on eight CDs, including seven previously-unreleased recordings and three alternates not in the vaults at Universal Music. Chris Albertson's liner notes take the reader through each and every recording, in addition to laying out what was happening to the band outside the booth; details that suggest he's had access to everyone's date book from the period. The complete discography clears up many inaccuracies and inconsistencies that have bedeviled the release of this material for a half-a-century.