As a premier member of Count Basie's early big bands and Kansas City 6, Lester Young certainly stakes a claim as a great jazz saxophonist, but on this CD, not as a leader. Of the 24 cuts, the Basie band is the focal point, but it is also advertised that Billy Holiday (sic) is featured. She is on one track, and in fact there are more collective vocals from others, including Jimmy Rushing. At a bargain basement price this might be worth collecting for a novice, but it's likely fans of Young and Basie already have most of this ...
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As a premier member of Count Basie's early big bands and Kansas City 6, Lester Young certainly stakes a claim as a great jazz saxophonist, but on this CD, not as a leader. Of the 24 cuts, the Basie band is the focal point, but it is also advertised that Billy Holiday (sic) is featured. She is on one track, and in fact there are more collective vocals from others, including Jimmy Rushing. At a bargain basement price this might be worth collecting for a novice, but it's likely fans of Young and Basie already have most of this vintage jazz in other compilations and original issues. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi
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