Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, when Jazz was not yet an Art Form (at least to most Americans - the Europeans held it in higher esteem), it was FUN, it was 'get dressed up and go dancing' music. That was The Big Band/Swing Era, which went from the 30s through the mid-40s or so, and there were many, for a variety of tastes: The Duke, Mr. Ellington, the great composer, who music personified class and genteel jungle stomp; Glenn Miller, a bit square and sentimental, but with a distinct and genial sound nonetheless; Artie Shaw, the brainy rebel, who restlessly mixed thoughtful musicality and swing, and Mr. William "Count" Basie, who had a unique approach: he treated the big band as if it were a small group, direct and unfussy, and played a brand of danceable swing that was charged with - no other way to say it - blues-charged JUMP. What they lacked in superficial sophistication they more than made up for in sheer joie de vive, sly wit and oomph. One listen to most of this 4-CD set, and one can easily imagine crowds dancing all night to the infectious, rollicking swing herein as the band works their irresistible riff-o-rama. But don’t get the idea this mob couldn’t be subtle: there’s plenty of graceful soloing by many of the best in jazz: Lester Young (one of the cats who wrote the book on jazz tenor sax), Harry "Sweets" Edison (who would go on to play elegant solos on Frank Sinatra’s Capitol sessions) and Buck Clayton. Plus, you fans of vocal music get some tunes w/ Jimmy Rushing (a jazz singer? blues shouter? well, go figure), the oft-underrated Helen Humes and Lady Day herself, Billie Holiday. Take note, Basie fans/collectors: even if you have this stuff on other CD/LP editions, virtually all of this baby’s 4th disc’s 22 songs are previously unreleased live tracks.... but wait, there's more, as this includes some Basie small-group sessions from the 30s & the early 50s (when economics forced the Count to downsize for awhile). Doesn’t that make you feel a whole lot better now, about the urge to save up & splurge? [PS: Sinatra quoted re: his getting to record (on Reprise) w/ Basie & co. in 1962: "I've waited 30 years for this moment."]