Bennie Moten: Moten Swing

It is difficult to believe that this recording was made on the cusp of 1933. Basies later spare style (complete with Pages driving bass) is easily recognized and the recording quality is sensational crisp, clear, even McWashingtons brushes are quite audible. The bridge of the first chorus, cleverly truncated, features spine-tingling, shouting brass played into metal derbies and sounding like they are in the room with the listener. The arrangement cleverly builds with the saxophones first sketching out Walter Donaldsons hit Youre Driving Me Crazy (the chords of which form the basis here) before essaying the famous riff (with Barefileds obbligato) known by many as a swing era anthem. A sudden key change introduces Hot Lips Page who solos in a coolish un-Armstrong manner. Finally the full compact ensemble plays the familiar riff melody, bridge and all. Notice Basie doubling his left hand on the studio celeste which, along with Pages beautifully registered bass, brings to a close a record that has it all.