The Jazz Thing, Round 1: Basie v. Barber

The Jazz Thing, Round 1 (40 Word/Album Limit)


#23 Count Basie – "The Atomic Mr. Basie" (1958)  v.  #76 Patricia Barber – "Mythologies" (2003)

Virtuosic ensemble playing, like the most amazing pep band in the universe.  Makes you want to put on a suit and twirl somebody in a vintage dress, or be twirled, and probably drink a cocktail and smoke a cigarette.

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And:

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Intellectual jazz -- "too intellectual?" I wondered, then found out that it is a song cycle after Ovid.  No temptation to suits, smoking, or drinking.  It's clean.  Too clean?  Maybe, but also slightly trippy, and interesting. 

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Rather to my surprise, Mythologies beats The Atomic Mr. Basie.  I also dig its cover.