COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA — April in Paris (1955) RM | Two Version | Original Master Recording, Ultradisc II Series + Verve Master Edition, Clef Series | WV + FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

One of the staples in the Count Basie discography, April in Paris is one of those rare albums that makes its mark as an almost instant classic in the jazz pantheon. April in Paris represents the reassembly of the original Count Basie orchestra that define swing in the 1930s and 1940s. The title track has come to define elegance in orchestral jazz. Though only ten tracks in its original release, seven alternate takes have now been incorporated into Verve's re-release of the original session tapes. Other key tracks include "Corner Pocket" and "Magic," both of which are also featured in the alternate takes. Recorded in 1955 and 1956, April in Paris proved Count Basie's ability to grow through modern jazz changes while keeping the traditional jazz orchestra vital and alive. Christopher Fielder
Tracklist :
1.    April In Paris 3:47
Arranged By – Wild Bill Davis
Composed By – E.Y. Harburg, Vernon Duke
2.    Corner Pocket 5:15
Composed By, Arranged By – Freddie Green
3.    Didn't You? 4:43
Composed By, Arranged By – Frank Foster
4.    Sweetie Cakes 3:58
Composed By, Arranged By – Ernie Wilkins
5.    Magic 3:06
Composed By, Arranged By – Frank Wess
6.    Shiny Stockings 5:14
Composed By, Arranged By – Frank Foster
7.    What Am I Here For? 3:19
Arranged By – Frank Foster
Composed By – Duke Ellington
8.    Midgets 3:13
Composed By, Arranged By – Joe Newman
9.    Mambo Inn 3:23
Arranged By – Frank Foster
Composed By – Bobby Woodlen, Edgar Sampson, Mario Bauzá
10.    Dinner With Friends 3:05
Composed By, Arranged By – Neal Hefti
11.    April In Paris [2nd Take] 3:45
Arranged By – Wild Bill Davis
Composed By – E.Y. Harburg, Vernon Duke
12.    Corner Pocket [2nd Take] 4:59
Composed By, Arranged By – Freddie Green
13.    Didn't You? [3rd Take] 4:50
Composed By, Arranged By – Frank Foster
14.    Magic [1st Take] 3:42
Composed By, Arranged By – Frank Wess
15.    Magic [2nd Take] 3:50
Composed By, Arranged By – Frank Wess
16.    What Am I Here For? [1st Take] 4:06
Arranged By – Frank Foster
Composed By – Duke Ellington
17.    Midgets [4th Take] 3:11
Composed By, Arranged By – Joe Newman
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Jones
Clarinet, Saxophone [Alto] – Marshal Royal (tracks: 1 to 7, 10 to 16)
Drums – Sonny Payne
Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone [Alto], Saxophone [Tenor] – Frank Wess
Guitar – Freddie Green
Percussion – Jose Mangual (tracks: 9), Ubaldo Nieto (tracks: 9)
Piano – Count Basie
Saxophone [Alto] – Bill Graham (tracks: 1 to 7, 10 to 16)
Saxophone [Baritone] – Charlie Fowlkes (tracks: 1 to 7, 10 to 16)
Saxophone [Tenor], Clarinet – Frank Foster (tracks: 1 to 7, 10 to 16)
Trombone – Benny Powell (tracks: 1 to 7, 10 to 16), Bill Hughes (tracks: 1 to 7, 10 to 16), Henry Coker (tracks: 1 to 7, 10 to 16)
Trumpet – Joe Newman, Reunald Jones (tracks: 1 to 7, 10 to 16), Thad Jones (tracks: 1 to 7, 10 to 16), Wendell Culley (tracks: 1 to 7, 10 to 16) 

BASIE | BENNETT — Count Basie And His Orchestra Swings, Tony Bennett Sings (1959-1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Roulette half of the two Bennett/Basie sessions is a band singer's paradise, with the Basie band caught at a robust and swinging peak and Bennett never sounding happier or looser in front of a microphone. The Count himself, alas, appears on piano only on two numbers ("Life Is a Song" and "Jeepers Creepers"), while Bennett's perennial pianist Ralph Sharon takes over on the remaining ten tracks and does all the charts. Yet Sharon writes idiomatically for the Count's style, whether on frantic rave-ups like "With Plenty of Money and You" and "Strike Up the Band" or relaxed swingers like "Chicago." Though not a jazz singer per se, the flavor of jazz is everywhere in Bennett's voice, which in those days soared like a trumpet. The 1990 CD included an atmospheric unissued Neal Hefti ballad "After Supper," but even this bonus track does little to extend the skimpy playing time (about 31 minutes) of what is still a great, desirable snapshot from American showbiz of the late 1950s. Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1    Life Is A Song 2:55
Written By – Fred Ahlert, Joe Young
2    Plenty Of Money 1:35
Written By – Al Dubin, Harry Warren
3    Jeepers Creepers 2:09
Written By – Harry Warren, Johnny Mercer
4    Are You Havin' Any Fun 2:48
Written By – Jack Yellen, Sammy Fain
5    Anything Goes 2:21
Written By – Cole Porter
6    Strike Up The Band 1:34
Written By – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
7    Chicago 2:08
Written By – Fred Fisher
8    I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face 3:04
Written By – Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Lowe
9    Poor Little Rich Girl 3:33
Written By – Noel Coward
10    Growing Pains 3:36
Written By – Arthur Schwartz, Dorothy Fields
11    I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plans 1:45
Written By – Arthur Schwartz, Howard Dietz
12    After Supper 3:36
Written By – Neil Hefti
Credits :
Arranged By – Ralph Sharon
Baritone Saxophone – Charlie Fowlkes
Bass – Eddie Jones
Drums – Sonny Payne
Guitar – Freddie Green
Piano – Count Basie (tracks: 1, 3), Ralph Sharon (tracks: 2, 4 to 12)
Tenor Saxophone – Billy Mitchell
Trombone – Al Grey, Benny Powell, Henry Coker
Trumpet – Joe Newman, Snooky Young, Thad Jones, Wendell Culley
Vocals – Tony Bennett