~ Recorded in March 1962, this Count Basie septet session easily ranks at or near his best. The front line of Thad Jones on trumpet, Frank Foster (tracks 1, 3, 5, 7), Frank Wess (tracks 2, 4, 6, 8), and Eric Dixon on various saxophones, flutes, and clarinet, and Count Basie on piano and organ is perfectly matched with the support of Freddie Green on guitar, Sonny Payne on drums and Eddie Jones on bass. The septet is in superlative form on a variety of blues, standards, and originals. The variety of voicings and textures provided by the multiple reed instruments provides an ever-changing quality to the music. The drumming by Sonny Payne is outstanding throughout.* This recording is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.~ Oh, Lady, Be Good (Ira Gershwin) 4:40 ~ Basie's 1938 version of this tune is famous for being the recording debut of Lester Young. In this 1962 version, Basie sets a bouncing dance tempo over which Dixon, Jones, and Foster provide sparkling solos.~ Secrets (Frank Wess) 4:08 ~ This jaunty track features Wess on alto flute, Jones on muted trumpet, Dixon on C flute, and some great brush work by Payne.~ I Want a Little Girl (Murray Mencher / Billy Moll) 4:16 ~ With Jones on wa-wa trumpet, Foster on tenor, Dixon on clarinet, and Basie on organ, this track is tune is taken at a slow melancholy pace.~ Shoe Shine Boy (Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin) 4:07 ~ This is an updated version of a 1936 Basie clasic with great ensemble playing by everybody.~ Count's Place (Count Basie) 5:28 ~ Typical Basie ... a catchy riff-based tune featuring some fine Basie piano and Payne drumming.~ Senator Whitehead (Frank Wess) 4:12 ~ With the same instrumentation as "Secrets" this piece dances along at a swinging fast pace.~ Tally-Ho, Mr. Basie! (Count Basie) 4:28 ~ Another great riff-based Basie tune with more great playing from Basie and his band.~ What'Cha Talkin'? (Thad Jones) 4:59 ~ A distinctive Jones piece with excellent execution of the ensemble passages by Jones, Foster, Wess, and Dixon.~ Search Amazon for alternate versions of this CD that contain "Trey of Hearts" (Thad Jones) 3:43 ~ A bonus track that was not included in the original vinyl LP, this track gives Count Basie a chance to shine on piano. That added track and a lower price warrant a 5-star rating.NOTE: This CD on the Impulse! Label should not be confused with a CD issued in 1980 on the Pablo label with an almost identical title Kansas City 7.