The Best Of Early Basie

by Thom Owens Best of Count Basie Live contains a good portion of the live material that the Count Basie Orchestra recorded for Decca Records between 1936 and 1939. At the time, Basie's Orchestra contained such legendary players as Lester Young, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Buck Clayton. About a third of the live sides the Orchestra recorded for Decca is included on the disc, and although this compilation isn't complete, it offers a good introduction for novice listeners.