Austin Lindy Hop
|
Austin Lindy Hop
|
|
|
Diane Schuur & The Count Basie Orchestra(GRP 1987)
Diane Schuur is an incredibly-gifted, blind jazz singer who rose to fame by singing GRP's "Smooth Jazz:" jazz without the edge. Even within the tempid genre of smooth jazz, she has gained International acclaim for her dynamic vocal range and incredible ability to phrase her music: indeed, she brings a bit of credibility to the otherwise-campy GRP label. On the other end of the partnership, the post-humus Count Basie's Orchestra under Frank Foster's direction has turned more toward the Broadway/Progressive Big Band Jazz genre than kept loyal to the Count's rigid adherence to the Swing genre. Most of the Orchestra's work in Basie's namesake since his passing in 1984 is rather passable: meaning I would rather "pass" than listen to it. On this CD, though, the greatness of Basie's orchestra and Schuur's dynamic vocal ability come to life to quiet critics of both the post-humus Basie Orchestra and Diane Schuur's smooth jazz works. We can only hope that these two musical forces join together some time in the future to do the same thing. As with all the "Albums of the Week," this album features at least seven fantastic songs for Lindy Hop, all strongly within the Big Band Groove Swing genre: Big Band Swing music with a bit more subtle, held-back, falling-behind the beat, "groove" rhythm. This album was also Freddie Green's final recorded work. Freddie Green was Count Basie's rhythm guitarist and the heart of the Basie's swinging "pulse" from the mid-30s until Basie's own passing in 1984. If only more guitarists were like Freddie Green.... He passed away only three days after this album was recorded. The album, quite fittingly, is dedicated to his memory. |
|
Jesse Minor of San Francisco first introduced Lawrence to this CD years ago in
San Francisco. It has been a part of the National and Austin Lindy Hop
scene for quite some time, now, but it is definitely worth mention so that
people who do not have it give it a look.