April in Paris (album)
April in Paris | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1957 | |||
Recorded | July 26, 1955 and January 4 & 5, 1956 Fine Sound, New York City | |||
Genre | Jazz | |||
Length | 73:45 CD reissue with bonus tracks | |||
Label | Verve MGV 8012 | |||
Producer | Norman Granz | |||
Count Basie chronology | ||||
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April in Paris is an album by pianist/bandleader Count Basie and His Orchestra, his first released on the Verve label, recorded in 1955 and 1956.[1][2][3][4]
The title track was included in the soundtrack of the 2008 video game release Grand Theft Auto IV on the fictitious in-game jazz music radio station "JNR 108.5 (Jazz Nation Radio)".
Reception[]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Penguin Guide to Jazz | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
AllMusic awarded the album 5 stars calling it "one of those rare albums that makes its mark as an almost instant classic in the jazz pantheon" and noting "April in Paris proved Count Basie's ability to grow through modern jazz changes while keeping the traditional jazz orchestra vital and alive".[5] The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide said it was "a commercial high point for this outfit".[6] The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded the album 3 stars stating "April in Paris is typical Basie fare of the period: bustling charts, leathery solos and pinpoint timing".[7]
Track listing[]
- "April in Paris" (Vernon Duke, E.Y. "Yip" Harburg) – 3:47
- "Corner Pocket" (Freddie Green) – 5:15
- "Didn't You?" (Frank Foster) – 4:43
- "Sweetie Cakes" (Ernest Brooks "Ernie" Wilkins) – 3:58
- "Magic" (Frank Wess) – 3:06
- "Shiny Stockings" (Frank Foster) – 5:14
- "What Am I Here For" (Duke Ellington, Frankie Laine) – 3:19
- "Midgets" (Joe Newman) – 3:13
- "Mambo Inn" (Mario Bauzá, Edgar Melvin Sampson, Bobby Woodlen) – 3:23
- "Dinner with Friends" (Neal Hefti) – 3:05
- "April In Paris" [2nd Take] (Duke, Harburg) - 3:45 Bonus track on CD reissue
- "Corner Pocket" [2nd Take] (Green) - 4:59 Bonus track on CD reissue
- "Didn't You?" [3rd Take] (Foster) - 4:50 Bonus track on CD reissue
- "Magic" [1st Take] (Wess) - 3:42 Bonus track on CD reissue
- "Magic" [2nd Take] (Wess) - 3:50 Bonus track on CD reissue
- "What Am I Here For?" [1st Take] (Ellington) - 4:06 Bonus track on CD reissue
- "Midgets" [4th Take] (Newman) - 3:11 Bonus track on CD reissue
- Recorded at Fine Sound in New York City on July 26, 1955 (tracks 1-4 and 11-13), January 4, 1956 (track 5-8 and 14-17) and January 5, 1956 (tracks 9 and 10)
Personnel[]
- Count Basie - piano
- Wendell Culley (tracks 1-7 & 9-16), Reunald Jones (tracks 1-7 & 9-16), Thad Jones (tracks 1-7 & 9-16), Joe Newman - trumpet
- Henry Coker, Bill Hughes, Benny Powell - trombone (tracks 1-7 & 9-16)
- Marshall Royal - alto saxophone, clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9-16)
- Bill Graham - alto saxophone (tracks 1-7 & 9-16)
- Frank Wess - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet
- Frank Foster - tenor saxophone, clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9-16)
- Charlie Fowlkes - baritone saxophone, bass clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9-16)
- Freddie Green - guitar
- Eddie Jones - bass
- Sonny Payne - drums
- Jose Mangual, Ubaldo Nieto - percussion (track 9)
- William "Wild Bill" Davis (tracks 1 & 11), Freddie Green (tracks 2 & 12), Neal Hefti (track 10), Frank Foster (tracks 3, 6, 7, 9, 13 & 16), Joe Newman (tracks 8 & 17), Ernie Wilkins (track 4) - arranger
References[]
- ^ Edwards, D. & Callahan, M. Discography of the Verve, Clef, Down Home and Norgran Labels, accessed November 20, 2015
- ^ Kitora, R., Count Basie Discography, accessed November 20, 2015
- ^ Verve Records Catalog: 8000 series, accessed November 20, 2015
- ^ Big Band Paradise, accessed November 20, 2015
- ^ Jump up to: a b Fielder, Christopher. April in Paris – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 20. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (2008) [1992]. The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. The Penguin Guide to Jazz (9th ed.). New York: Penguin. p. 91. ISBN 978-0-14-103401-0.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2007). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195313734.
- 1956 albums
- Count Basie Orchestra albums
- Verve Records albums
- Albums arranged by Ernie Wilkins
- Albums arranged by Frank Foster (musician)
- Albums arranged by Neal Hefti
- Albums produced by Norman Granz