[78-L] Happy 100th, Prez! - unknown alternate Decca take

[Milan P Milovanovic]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julian Vein" <julianvein at blueyonder.co.uk>
To: "78-L Mail List" <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 5:21 PM
Subject: Re: [78-L] Happy 100th, Prez! - unknown alternate Decca take


Milan,
It's still a mediocre trumpet solo, whoever it is. Young's solo is
reminiscent of Chu Berry on and off-day, rather than when he was "flying".

I don't hear that flowing four-four rhythm that the later Basie band is
famous for. The rhythm seem to be pulling in different directions, the
result being something close to two-beat.

Judging by Prez's performance here, I can't see what all the fuss is
about--nothing innovative about it at all. Sounds like a string of
cliches strung together.

However, broadcasts tell a different story, as if it was a different
band. Perhaps, realising they'd been screwed by Decca, they didn't feel
like giving their best? If you pay peanuts, you get a monkey's performance.

      Julian Vein




Julian,

according to Basie autobiography, yes, Basie was disappointed about the 
contract with Decca.
But even if we accept it was not first rate band at this moment, could we 
thing that maybe alternative take of the same tune can give some other 
perspective, and some interesting moments?
As for Bird, I think that Pres is certainly someone from whom I would like 
to hear every single note he played.

Milan