In 1955, after economics had reduced him to a small combo, Basie bulked back up to 16 pieces. His so-called New Testament band, however, did not radically differ from his late-'30s Old Testament outfit, except now he had no star soloist comparable to the incomparable Lester Young. Instead he had Joe Williams, a Chicagoan with the manliest baritone since Billy Eckstine and who, unlike Mr. B., could convincingly belt the blues. With Big Joe lustily yodeling "Every Day I Have the Blues" over the band's shuffle beat, Basie at last found the elusive crossover success that would thereafter sustain him.