Bands Music

This disc contains different interpretations of some of Lionel Hampton's best known tracks. The Benny Goodman Quartet is prominently featured throughout. From the teasing signature tune Stompin' At The Savoy to the rollicking Stompology, Hampton will have you grooving! Highly recommended.

Extensive liner notes are included in both English and French. Most tracks exhibit some level of tape hiss, which is to be expected of recordings from the 30's. If anything, it adds to the free-wheeling, informal atmosphere.

This is the first volume in the Chronological Classics series on Count Basie, and most of the music on it should and will live forever. It begins with the Jones-Smith Inc. sides that gave John Hammond coniptions, contracturally speaking, but only give the rest of us everlasting joy. "Shoe shine boy" and "Lady be good" are masterpieces from this session; Lester Young is amazing. Then come the first five Decca sessions with the full big band, and the honey continues to flow. We get "Swingin' at the Daisy Chain," "Roseland shuffle," "One o'clock jump," "Topsy," and "John's idea" just to name a few of the gems from these sessions. These are must-have recordings.