Count Basie and Joe Turner The Bosses

 

I am a huge fan of Pablo Records, the label that put out this outstanding sounding disc from 1974. I have never heard a bad sounding recording from this label, but this disc is one of the best. Pablo Records was founded by Norman Granz in 1973, ten years after he had sold his other great jazz label Verve to MGM Records. In it's prime in the 70's and 80's, Granz produced some of the most recognized icons of the jazz scene, late in their careers. He managed Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson and John Coltrane to name just a few. He also managed and produced this Joe Turner and Count Basie recording. Joe Turner is often referred to as the father of Rock N' Roll and you can hear why on this swinging' bluesy album. The tune selection is pretty standard stuff, but it's what the performers do with the material that matters. Joe and the Count are joined on this set by Eddie Davis (tenor sax), Zoot Sims (tenor sax), JJ Johnson (trumpet), Ray Brown (bass), Irving Ashby (guitar), Harry Edison (trumpet) and Louis Bellson (drums). They swing their way through these cuts with the skill that only seasoned veterans can. I have only heard this vinyl version, so I can't comment on the quality of the CD re-issue.

I had heard and read several positive reviews of Pablo Records quality and I was able to find this album at one of my favorite used record shops. I was literally shocked when I heard this album for the first time on my system. The recording was sublime. It sounded like the performers were in the room with me. To hear some of these jazz greats recorded with such care and precision made my jaw drop. I don't know how Norman recorded this but this is a demo quality disc. This is what collecting and listening to music is all about. It's why we go to the trouble looking for that needle in the haystack. Sometimes you find what your looking for, sometimes you stumble upon something accidentally, but it always sounds like heaven on earth when it's recorded this well. Try to track this one down. Highly recommended.