Columbia Records must have sensed that something was stirring commercially and musically around
Count Basie at about this time, for One O'Clock Jump was the third LP reissue of
Basie's work in under two years. A superb compilation of
Basie sides from his years with Columbia Records, dating between 1942 and 1951, mostly instrumental and all of it extremely inviting, including "These Foolish Things," a slow instrumental ballad with
Basie's piano carrying much of the basic tune, and "One O'Clock Jump" in a vastly re-thought small group rendition. This album, like its companion release from the previous year,
Blues By Basie, is a real treat for completists, for half the material dates from sessions in 1950-1951, which are effectively "lost" years in most accounts of
Basie's career, in between the breakup of his big band and the formation of his "new testament" band in the mid-'50s. They show the man having lost none of his verve or the swing in his work, whether leading a group consisting of a dozen musicians or 30 players. "I Ain't Got Nobody," highlighted by a pounding band sound and a hot
Buddy De Franco clarinet solo, is worth the price of an LP release by itself, and the instrumental ballad "I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)," from the same session and featuring elegant solo spots by
Basie, tenor man
Wardell Gray,
De Franco, and
Clark Terry on trumpet, makes a gorgeous counterpoint.
Jimmy Rushing and Harry Nemo handle the pair of vocal numbers here, with
Rushing almost stealing "Patience and Fortitude" from the band as a showcase for his work. ~ Bruce Eder