Along with Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington, William “Count” Basie defined popular swing in the 1930s and ’40s. His late-’50s LPs, including April in Paris and The Atomic Mr. Basie, capture a late-career renaissance that represent the Count at his finest.
Discography
- Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings (1955, with Joe Williams) A-
- Basie’s orchestra stomps rather than swings, a perfect match for Joe Williams’ strongman blues-wailin’ holler. Basie brings out the best in Williams, and Williams brings out a bluesier side of Basie, which is a welcome change-of-pace returning the 51-year-old swing bandleader to his Kansas City roots.
