COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 513 (1990) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This CD has Count Basie's last three sessions for Decca and his first recordings for the Columbia/Vocalion labels. One of his tenor stars, Herschel Evans, had just passed away and is replaced by Chu Berry on one date before Buddy Tate became his permanent replacement. Otherwise, the band's very strong personnel remained the same. The first four numbers are showcases for the Basie four-piece rhythm section, "You Can Depend on Me" is by a sextet with Lester Young and trumpeter Shad Collins, and there are also four titles by "Basie's Bad Boys," an octet from the band with Basie doubling on organ. Among the other highlights are "Red Wagon," the two-part "Cherokee," the original version of "Jive at Five," "Rock-A-Bye Basie," "Taxi War Dance," and Helen Humes' warm vocal on "Don't Worry 'Bout Me." Scott Yanow