Contained here, for the first time on a single set, are the complete sessions that produced the original Count Basie albums "Basie Rides Again!" (Verve MGV 8108) and "The Swinging Count!" (Clef MG C-706). These 1952 sessions include not just big band sides but also plenty of quintet and sextet numbers, featuring such names as Charlie Shavers, Joe Newman, Paul Quinichette, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, and Buddy Rich, plus the omnipresent Freddie Green as part of the rhythm section.

The sessions were also historical in presenting for the first time ever a collaboration between Basie and his friend and admirer Oscar Peterson, who replaces the leader on piano for “Be My Guest” and joins the band on a series of blues –one of them lasting more than ten minutes– on which Basie switches to the organ.

Two blues from a previous session have been added here as a bonus.

COUNT BASIE and His Orchestra
Featuring: Charlie Shavers, Joe Newman, Wendell Culley, Reunald Jones (tp),
Marshall Royal (cl, as), Ernie Wilkins (as, ts),
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Paul Quinichette (ts), Count Basie (p, organ),
Oscar Peterson (p), Freddie Green (g), Jimmy Lewis, Ray Brown, Gene Ramey (b),
Gus Johnson, Buddy Rich (d), among others.

Arrangements by Sy Oliver, Neal Hefti, Don Redman, Ernie Wilkins, Buster Harding
Buck Clayton, Andy Gibson & A.K. Salim.

All tracks recorded at Fine Sound Studios, New York, January-December 1952