The Atomic Mr. Basie (Bonus Track Version)

~ Release by Count Basie (see all versions of this release, 29 available)

Annotation

Tracks 12 to 22 arranged by Neal Heft

The release of this album in late 1957 marked the beginning of a glorious new phase in Count Basie's career. Signed to Roulette Records, the newly formed label owned by Morris Levy, the New York recording entrepreneur, jukebox mogul, club owner, and quasi-underworld figure, it took Basie's core audience and a lot of other people by surprise, as a bold, forward-looking statement within the context of a big-band recording if not as daring as what Duke Ellington had done at Newport in 1956, still a reminder that there was room for fresh, even dazzling improvisation (especially courtesy of Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis's contribution) within the framework of a big-band jazz unit. The band and its key members were all "on" for these two days of sessions, and Neal Hefti's arrangements gave all concerned a chance to show what they could do. Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, stands out from the get-go with his solo on "Flight of the Foo Birds," a rewriting of "Give Me the Simple Life" on which the tenor-man shares the stage with Thad Jones's trumpet solo, but nearly knock Jones off that same stage with his pyrotechnics. Davis plunges into new territory, defining the Basie "Atomic" period with his solo on "Whirly-Birds" (originally less aptly titled "Roller Coaster"), which soars into the air on his break. Joe Newman and Thad Jones's muted trumpets are the featured instruments on "Duet." "The Kid From Red Bank" offers an unusual showcase for Basie himself at the piano, playing the least number of notes possible to surprise and bedazzle the listener, while "Li'l Darlin'" offers the Basie band's answer to Ellington's "Mood Indigo."

Annotation last modified on 2026-06-02 07:35 UTC.

Tracklist

1▼Digital Media
#TitleRatingLength
1The Kid from Red Bank
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
recording engineer:
Bob Arnold (engineer) (on 1957-10-21)
producer:
Teddy Reig
alto saxophone:
Marshall Royal (on 1957-10-21)
alto saxophone and flute and woodwind:
Frank Wess (on 1957-10-21)
baritone saxophone:
Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
double bass:
Eddie Jones (US jazz double bassist) (on 1957-10-21)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Payne (on 1957-10-21)
guitar:
Freddie Green (on 1957-10-21)
piano:
Count Basie (pianist) (on 1957-10-21)
reeds:
Charles Fowlke (baritone saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21), Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (jazz saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21), Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21), Marshall Royal (on 1957-10-21) and Frank Wess (on 1957-10-21)
tenor saxophone:
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (jazz saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21) and Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trombone:
Henry Coker (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21), Al Grey (trombone) (on 1957-10-21) and Benny Powell (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trumpet:
Wendell Culley (jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Thad Jones (American jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Joe Newman (US jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21) and Snooky Young (on 1957-10-21)
arranger:
Neal Hefti
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
recording of:
The Kid From Red Bank (on 1957-10-21)
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
2:43
2Duet
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
recording engineer:
Bob Arnold (engineer) (on 1957-10-21)
producer:
Teddy Reig
alto saxophone:
Marshall Royal (on 1957-10-21)
alto saxophone and flute and woodwind:
Frank Wess (on 1957-10-21)
baritone saxophone:
Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
double bass:
Eddie Jones (US jazz double bassist) (on 1957-10-21)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Payne (on 1957-10-21)
guitar:
Freddie Green (on 1957-10-21)
piano:
Count Basie (pianist) (on 1957-10-21)
tenor saxophone:
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (jazz saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21) and Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trombone:
Henry Coker (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21), Al Grey (trombone) (on 1957-10-21) and Benny Powell (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trumpet:
Wendell Culley (jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Thad Jones (American jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Joe Newman (US jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21) and Snooky Young (on 1957-10-21)
arranger:
Neal Hefti
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
recording of:
Duet (on 1957-10-21)
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
4:13
3Splanky
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-22)
recording engineer:
Bob Arnold (engineer) (on 1957-10-22)
producer:
Teddy Reig
alto saxophone:
Marshall Royal (on 1957-10-22)
alto saxophone and flute and woodwind:
Frank Wess (on 1957-10-22)
baritone saxophone:
Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophonist) (on 1957-10-22)
double bass:
Eddie Jones (US jazz double bassist) (on 1957-10-22)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Payne (on 1957-10-22)
guitar:
Freddie Green (on 1957-10-22)
piano:
Count Basie (pianist) (on 1957-10-22)
tenor saxophone:
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (jazz saxophonist) (on 1957-10-22) and Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1957-10-22)
trombone:
Henry Coker (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-22), Al Grey (trombone) (on 1957-10-22) and Benny Powell (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-22)
trumpet:
Wendell Culley (jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-22), Thad Jones (American jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-22), Joe Newman (US jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-22) and Snooky Young (on 1957-10-22)
arranger:
Neal Hefti
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-22)
recording of:
Splanky (on 1957-10-22)
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
publisher:
Warner Bros. Music Corp. and WB Music Corp. (1929–2019)
3:38
4Flight of the Foo Birds
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
recording engineer:
Bob Arnold (engineer) (on 1957-10-21)
producer:
Teddy Reig
alto saxophone:
Marshall Royal (on 1957-10-21)
alto saxophone and flute:
Frank Wess (on 1957-10-21)
baritone saxophone:
Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
double bass:
Eddie Jones (US jazz double bassist) (on 1957-10-21)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Payne (on 1957-10-21)
guitar:
Freddie Green (on 1957-10-21)
piano:
Count Basie (pianist) (on 1957-10-21)
tenor saxophone:
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (jazz saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21) and Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trombone:
Henry Coker (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21), Al Grey (trombone) (on 1957-10-21) and Benny Powell (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trumpet:
Wendell Culley (jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Thad Jones (American jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Joe Newman (US jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21) and Snooky Young (on 1957-10-21)
arranger:
Neal Hefti
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
recording of:
Flight of the Foo Birds (on 1957-10-21)
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
3:25
5Double-O
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
alto saxophone:
Marshall Royal (on 1957-10-21)
alto saxophone and flute and woodwind:
Frank Wess (on 1957-10-21)
baritone saxophone:
Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
double bass:
Eddie Jones (US jazz double bassist) (on 1957-10-21)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Payne (, on 1957-10-21)
guitar:
Freddie Green (on 1957-10-21)
piano:
Count Basie (pianist) (on 1957-10-21)
reeds:
Marshall Royal
tenor saxophone:
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (jazz saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21) and Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trombone:
Henry Coker (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21), Al Grey (trombone) (on 1957-10-21) and Benny Powell (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trumpet:
Wendell Culley (jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Thad Jones (American jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Joe Newman (US jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21) and Snooky Young (on 1957-10-21)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
recording of:
Double-O (on 1957-10-21)
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
2:48
6Li'l Darlin'
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
alto saxophone:
Marshall Royal (on 1957-10-21)
alto saxophone and flute:
Frank Wess (on 1957-10-21)
baritone saxophone:
Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
double bass:
Eddie Jones (US jazz double bassist) (on 1957-10-21)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Payne (, on 1957-10-21)
guitar:
Freddie Green (on 1957-10-21)
piano:
Count Basie (pianist) (on 1957-10-21)
reeds:
Marshall Royal
tenor saxophone:
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (jazz saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21) and Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trombone:
Henry Coker (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21), Al Grey (trombone) (on 1957-10-21) and Benny Powell (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trumpet:
Wendell Culley (jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Thad Jones (American jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Joe Newman (US jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21) and Snooky Young (on 1957-10-21)
woodwind:
Frank Wess
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
recording of:
Lil’ Darlin’ (on 1957-10-21)
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
54:52
7Whirly-Bird
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
alto saxophone:
Marshall Royal (on 1957-10-21)
alto saxophone and flute and woodwind:
Frank Wess (on 1957-10-21)
baritone saxophone:
Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
double bass:
Eddie Jones (US jazz double bassist) (on 1957-10-21)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Payne (, on 1957-10-21)
guitar:
Freddie Green (on 1957-10-21)
piano:
Count Basie (pianist) (on 1957-10-21)
reeds:
Marshall Royal
tenor saxophone:
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (jazz saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21) and Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trombone:
Henry Coker (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21), Al Grey (trombone) (on 1957-10-21) and Benny Powell (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trumpet:
Wendell Culley (jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Thad Jones (American jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Joe Newman (US jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21) and Snooky Young (on 1957-10-21)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
recording of:
Whirly-bird (on 1957-10-21)
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
3:53
8Midnite Blue
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
alto saxophone:
Marshall Royal (on 1957-10-21)
alto saxophone and flute and woodwind:
Frank Wess (on 1957-10-21)
baritone saxophone:
Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
double bass:
Eddie Jones (US jazz double bassist) (on 1957-10-21)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Payne (on 1957-10-21)
guitar:
Freddie Green (on 1957-10-21)
piano:
Count Basie (pianist) (on 1957-10-21)
reeds:
Marshall Royal
tenor saxophone:
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (jazz saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21) and Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trombone:
Henry Coker (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21), Al Grey (trombone) (on 1957-10-21) and Benny Powell (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trumpet:
Wendell Culley (jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Thad Jones (American jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Joe Newman (US jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21) and Snooky Young (on 1957-10-21)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
recording of:
Midnight Blue (on 1957-10-21)
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
4:30
9After Supper
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-22)
producer:
Teddy Reig (on 1957-10-22)
alto saxophone:
Marshall Royal (on 1957-10-22)
alto saxophone and flute:
Frank Wess (on 1957-10-22)
baritone saxophone:
Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophonist) (on 1957-10-22)
double bass:
Eddie Jones (US jazz double bassist) (on 1957-10-22)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Payne (on 1957-10-22)
guitar:
Freddie Green (on 1957-10-22)
piano:
Count Basie (pianist) (on 1957-10-22) and Ralph Sharon (on 1957-10-22)
tenor saxophone:
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (jazz saxophonist) (on 1957-10-22) and Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1957-10-22)
trombone:
Henry Coker (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-22), Al Grey (trombone) (on 1957-10-22) and Benny Powell (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-22)
trumpet:
Wendell Culley (jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-22), Thad Jones (American jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-22), Joe Newman (US jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-22) and Snooky Young (on 1957-10-22)
vocals:
Tony Bennett (US jazz/standards vocalist) (on 1957-10-22)
arranger:
Ralph Sharon (on 1957-10-22)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-22)
recording of:
After Supper (on 1957-10-22)
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
publisher:
International Korwin Corp.
3:28
10Fantail
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-22)
alto saxophone:
Marshall Royal (on 1957-10-22)
alto saxophone and flute:
Frank Wess (on 1957-10-22)
baritone saxophone:
Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophonist) (on 1957-10-22)
double bass:
Eddie Jones (US jazz double bassist) (on 1957-10-22)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Payne (, on 1957-10-22)
guitar:
Freddie Green (on 1957-10-22)
piano:
Count Basie (pianist) (on 1957-10-22)
reeds:
Marshall Royal
tenor saxophone:
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (jazz saxophonist) (on 1957-10-22) and Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1957-10-22)
trombone:
Henry Coker (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-22), Al Grey (trombone) (on 1957-10-22) and Benny Powell (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-22)
trumpet:
Wendell Culley (jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-22), Thad Jones (American jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-22), Joe Newman (US jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-22) and Snooky Young (on 1957-10-22)
woodwind:
Frank Wess
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-22)
recording of:
Fantail (on 1957-10-22)
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
2:58
11Teddy the Toad
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
recording engineer:
Bob Arnold (engineer) (on 1957-10-21)
producer:
Teddy Reig
alto saxophone:
Marshall Royal (on 1957-10-21)
alto saxophone and flute and woodwind:
Frank Wess (on 1957-10-21)
baritone saxophone:
Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
double bass:
Eddie Jones (US jazz double bassist) (on 1957-10-21)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Payne (on 1957-10-21)
guitar:
Freddie Green (on 1957-10-21)
piano:
Count Basie (pianist) (on 1957-10-21)
reeds:
Charles Fowlke (baritone saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21), Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (jazz saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21), Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21), Marshall Royal (on 1957-10-21) and Frank Wess (on 1957-10-21)
tenor saxophone:
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (jazz saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21) and Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trombone:
Henry Coker (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21), Al Grey (trombone) (on 1957-10-21) and Benny Powell (jazz trombonist) (on 1957-10-21)
trumpet:
Wendell Culley (jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Thad Jones (American jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21), Joe Newman (US jazz trumpeter) (on 1957-10-21) and Snooky Young (on 1957-10-21)
arranger:
Neal Hefti
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1957-10-21)
recording of:
Teddy the Toad (on 1957-10-21)
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
3:21
12Has Anyone Here Seen Basie?
recording of:
Has Anyone Here Seen Basie?
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
2:45
13Cute
recording of:
Cute
lyricist:
Stanley Styne
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
publisher:
WB Music Corp. (1929–2019)
3:15
14Pensive Miss
recording of:
Pensive Miss
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
3:51
15Sloo Foot
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1958-04-04)
baritone saxophone:
Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophonist) (on 1958-04-04)
bass and double bass:
Eddie Jones (US jazz double bassist) (on 1958-04-04)
drums (drum set):
Sonny Payne (on 1958-04-04)
guitar:
Freddie Green (on 1958-04-04)
piano:
Count Basie (pianist) (on 1958-04-04)
reeds:
Marshall Royal (on 1958-04-04)
tenor saxophone:
Frank Foster (saxophonist) (on 1958-04-04) and Billy Mitchell (US jazz saxophonist) (on 1958-04-04)
trombone:
Henry Coker (jazz trombonist) (on 1958-04-04), Al Grey (trombone) (on 1958-04-04) and Benny Powell (jazz trombonist) (on 1958-04-04)
trumpet:
Wendell Culley (jazz trumpeter) (on 1958-04-04), Thad Jones (American jazz trumpeter) (on 1958-04-04), Joe Newman (US jazz trumpeter) (on 1958-04-04) and Snooky Young (on 1958-04-04)
woodwind:
Frank Wess (on 1958-04-04)
recording of:
Sloo Foot (on 1958-04-04)
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
3:11
16It's Awf'ly Nice to Be with You
recording of:
It's Awf'ly Nice to be with You
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
3:36
17Scoot
recording of:
Scoot
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
2:31
18A Little Tempo, Please
recording of:
A Little Tempo, Please
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
2:39
19Late Date
recording of:
Late Date
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
3:20
20Count Down
recording of:
Count Down
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
2:49
21Bag-a' Bones
recording of:
Bag-A' Bones
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
2:46
22Pony Tail
recording of:
Pony Tail
composer and arranger:
Neal Hefti
2:59