"There are countless horrible things happening all over the world and horrible people prospering, but we must never allow them to disturb our equanimity or deflect us from our sacred duty to sabotage and annoy them whenever possible." -Auberon Waugh
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Happy Feet Friday
Oh, yes! Count Basie and the boys play the Red Bank Boogie.
I enjoyed this bit of Basey the most of any you posted. He plays the boogie woogie so well, and it's doubly enjoyable because I'm only used to his older spare style of playing from the 50s and 60s, I didn't realise he could do this. He really rips into it, yet it's completely his own, using spaces to emphasise notes of arpeggios (I think) to get that Basey sound (forerunner of 'the cool' and Ahmad Jamal's style?).
He toured here (Sydney) in about 1970 and my friends went, how I wish I did too.
Bruce: Basie's style was generally considered comparatively spare back in the '30's, too (his drummer once called him "the laziest piano player I've ever seen.") But as you point out, he really goes to work on this tune. I saw him back in the early 70's with a small group; marvelous.
I enjoyed this bit of Basey the most of any you posted. He plays the boogie woogie so well, and it's doubly enjoyable because I'm only used to his older spare style of playing from the 50s and 60s, I didn't realise he could do this. He really rips into it, yet it's completely his own, using spaces to emphasise notes of arpeggios (I think) to get that Basey sound (forerunner of 'the cool' and Ahmad Jamal's style?).
ReplyDeleteHe toured here (Sydney) in about 1970 and my friends went, how I wish I did too.
I live right next to Red Bank! We're going to the Count Basie Theater at the end of the month to see the Capitol Steps :)
ReplyDeleteBruce: Basie's style was generally considered comparatively spare back in the '30's, too (his drummer once called him "the laziest piano player I've ever seen.") But as you point out, he really goes to work on this tune. I saw him back in the early 70's with a small group; marvelous.
ReplyDeleteMr. Bingley: Where is Red Bank, anyhow?
The Count could tickle them ivories when he wanted to. Nice bass-hand box, too, right on time with the stand-up. Tight group.
ReplyDeletePaco
ReplyDelete1. http://www.metepenagiag.com/rbaccueil_en.htm
2. http://www.redbankwines.com/
Cheers
JMH
Thankee, Cap'n Heinrichs.
ReplyDelete