Count Basie at Carnegie Hall

Rating:
Summary: Great For Any Basie or Big Band Fan
Review: hi-

this is an edition of the basie band that was stellar for so many reasons-great soloists-Kenny Hing and Eric Dixson on tenors as well as Booty Wood and Dennis Wilson on trombones. A sax section that had been together for 5 years at that point-a great bassist in Cleveland Eaton.

the show has a great segment showing vintage basie from the 30's thru the 80's-as well as a talent line up to go gaga over.

someone had asked for the personnel of this band so here goes:
saxes- bobby platter-lead alto and danny turner
kenny hing and eric dixon tenor saxes
johnny williams baritone
trombones-grover mitchell lead
booty wood
dennis wilson
bill hughes bass trombone
trumpets-willie cook lead
dale carley
sonny cohn
bob summers
rhythm section- basie-piano cleveland eaton bass- gregg fields drums.
a must for any basie fan!!

mark
noticably missing from the line up was freddie green on guitar.

Rating:
Summary: Snapshot of Greatness(es)
Review: Ok, it's good early 1980s tv video and the sound feels mono, if crisp and full. No liner notes. Who was in this Basie band (aside from some named, and very fine soloists, including Sonny Cohn)? Minor points. Here is almost two hours of big band bliss, most of which takes place in a very well (George Wein) produced Carnegie Hall program featured on CBS Cable in 1981. Count Basie was in his final years (wracked by arthritis which fortunately did not affect his piano artistry), though ones which saw some very fine Pablo recordings and reissues. His class and style are all documented here with a band that could swing and punch like none other of his or any other time. Throw in Joe Williams and Sarah Vaughan at the height of their powers (I'd pay the price just to watch Sarah sing Send in the Clowns, something I saw her do in person shortly before she died), George Benson when he cared about swinging, and Tony Bennett at his best, and you have a stunning evening that was fun and musically superb. The concert is introduced by flashbacks to earlier Basie Bands, a great interview of John Hammond (who discovered Basie and other artists on the film) and chats with the featured performers. Anyone interested in big bands, swing, and the history of jazz should both order this dvd and lean all over the company that brought it out to dig deep in the archives for more of same.

Rating:
Summary: Great Concert
Review: The encoding is region 1 (USA & Canada) but the dvd is viewable in Germany (region 2) too. The first part of the film is sometimes a little bit boring. The second part (concert) is really great.

Rating:
Summary: Great Concert
Review: The encoding is region 1 (USA & Canada) but the dvd is viewable in Germany (region 2) too. The first part of the film is sometimes a little bit boring. The second part (concert) is really great.

Rating:
Summary: Swing Swing Swing
Review: This is what a big band is all about.
This is the greatest band ever.
When I was a kid in the 50's we would dance or stand in
front of the bandstand for hours on the pier in Old Orchard Beach,Maine with the Basie Band,you could not sit down.
Now I'm 66, so I crank up Home Theater sound system with
the 43" wide screen and let my foot tap. Life is good!

Rating:
Summary: "legendary icon in his last televised performance ~ Basie!"
Review: When you think of the swing era, one name stands above the rest ~ Count Basie! He was the epitome of swing and stayed in the background to let his band do their thing ~ and do their thing they did. Just sample their legendary performance with "Count Basie at Carnegie Hall", featuring some of the top names in the business. Alphabetically we have Tony Bennett, George Benson, Sarah Vaughn and Joe Williams, plus the all star tribute in which we celebrate the 50th anniversary in Basie's brilliant career.

On this premiere jazz program we enjoyed hearing and seeing "SWEET GEORGIA BROWN", "WELL, ALL RIGHT, OKAY, YOU WIN", "APRIL IN PARIS", "SHINY STOCKINGS", "BOOTY'S BLUES" and my favorite jazz tunes "IN A MELLOW TONE", nothing can compare or come close to that Basie sound. When Basie and his fellow musicians would swing, it would hit you right between the eyes ~ their delivery was like no other with a jolt that would send you into the stratosphere, gotta love it!

Just a few words about Tony Bennett and Sarah Vaughn, they are in a class by themselves, quality and professionalism all the way. George Benson was just wonderful. But the highlight of the evening was Joe Williams singing his signature song "EVERY DAY I HAVE THE BLUES", a favorite of Johnny Carson (Tonight Show), Williams would always sing that song when appearing on Carson's Show ~ watch Basie's face when listening to Williams (his first son) performing that tune ~ much like a proud Father. Notice at the end of the show with the credits, Vaughn and Williams dancing the Jitterbug, hey they certainly could dig it...and I know you will when you watch this spectacular live event from Carnegie Hall on March 20, 1981...which was nominated for a Cable "Ace" award for excellence. If you're a Basie fan this is a must have...don't pass this one up!

Total Time: 120 mins ~ Kultur D2120 ~ (5/13/2003)

Rating:
Summary: "legendary icon in his last televised performance ~ Basie!"
Review: When you think of the swing era, one name stands above the rest ~ Count Basie! He was the epitome of swing and stayed in the background to let his band do their thing ~ and do their thing they did. Just sample their legendary performance with "Count Basie at Carnegie Hall", featuring some of the top names in the business. Alphabetically we have Tony Bennett, George Benson, Sarah Vaughn and Joe Williams, plus the all star tribute in which we celebrate the 50th anniversary in Basie's brilliant career.

On this premiere jazz program we enjoyed hearing and seeing "SWEET GEORGIA BROWN", "WELL, ALL RIGHT, OKAY, YOU WIN", "APRIL IN PARIS", "SHINY STOCKINGS", "BOOTY'S BLUES" and my favorite jazz tunes "IN A MELLOW TONE", nothing can compare or come close to that Basie sound. When Basie and his fellow musicians would swing, it would hit you right between the eyes ~ their delivery was like no other with a jolt that would send you into the stratosphere, gotta love it!

Just a few words about Tony Bennett and Sarah Vaughn, they are in a class by themselves, quality and professionalism all the way. George Benson was just wonderful. But the highlight of the evening was Joe Williams singing his signature song "EVERY DAY I HAVE THE BLUES", a favorite of Johnny Carson (Tonight Show), Williams would always sing that song when appearing on Carson's Show ~ watch Basie's face when listening to Williams (his first son) performing that tune ~ much like a proud Father. Notice at the end of the show with the credits, Vaughn and Williams dancing the Jitterbug, hey they certainly could dig it...and I know you will when you watch this spectacular live event from Carnegie Hall on March 20, 1981...which was nominated for a Cable "Ace" award for excellence. If you're a Basie fan this is a must have...don't pass this one up!

Total Time: 120 mins ~ Kultur D2120 ~ (5/13/2003)

Rating:
Summary: The old fire just smoldering
Review: You could consider this a very good big band performance BUT if you are a fan of Count Basie you may find this a bit sad. The old lion just doen't roar with the vigor of old. There are some high points: Joe Williams still sings great, there are a few nice horn solos, but Sarah Vaughn was disappointing, George Benson out of place, and Tony Bennett downright embarrassing. Maybe it was the white bread audience at Carnegie Hall; cringed when they gave Tony Bennett a bigger ovation than the Count. Spend your money on "Atomic Basie" or any of the remastered CDs from 30's and 40's.