Count Basie, Corner Pocket

A while ago I came across this video of the Count Basie Orchestra playing Corner Pocket back in 1962. If there is such thing as big band jazz perfection, this is it. Basie’s band was known for it’s exceptional combination of virtuosity and soul. This version of Corner Pocket illuminates both.

I had the pleasure of playing lead tenor sax + solo on this arrangement in my college big band. Although nowhere near as swingin’ as Basie’s band, I’ll always be happy and proud to have swung this number in that college band.

Sit back, pour a Manhattan, and take five to enjoy this: The Count Basie Orchestra swinging Corner Pocket (Until I Met You)

This Week’s Top Songs In 1956: #1 Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis, #2 Moonglow/The Theme from Picnic by Morris Stolloff

The King - Click to Play Heartbreak Hotel

Flip your ears to the hi-fi kats and kittens and listen to what I’m laying on ya, two big hits from ’56 in the mix and there ain’t no tricks, it’s the King, The Man with the Swingin’ Pelvis, Elvis Presley in the Number One slot this week in 1956, and right in view at Number Two is…Morris Stoloff?

Yeah, that’s how it was back in the 50’s. Back then there was ONE chart, one list of hits, and you could have Rock ’n’ Roll and a Jazz standard together with a Western tune and standards vocalists like Frank Sinatra on the top five at the same time. Today you have a couple of dozen charts, so you’ll (probably) never see Winton Marsalis on the same hit list as Beyonce. but back in the day that would have been common.

Now don’t get me wrong, most kats that were digging Elvis wouldn’t listen to Jazz if their lives depended on it. And vice versa…A lot of kats in the Jazz scene were too busy groovin’ to sophisticated bop to catch the Rhythm & Blues bug. And neither click would turn their ears to say, Patsy Cline, who also topped the charts plenty in the 50’s. But there were some mavericks who could riff along with all of them…From Frank and Dean to Les Brown and Dorris Day to Miles Davis and Stan Getz to Elvis and Buddy Holly.

My old man was just such a kat. “Picnic” happened to be one of his favorite movies, and according to him the scene where William

Picnic - Click Here to Play "Moonglow/The Theme From Picnic"

Holden and Kim Novak danced to “Moonglow” had everybody going crazy (Kim Novak burns through the scene with one of the most understated and sexiest ‘innocent’ dances  of all time, believe me). It’s a krazy scene musically because up to that point there is sort of corny dixie-type music playing for the picnic. Then this piano, guitar, bass and brushes comes in swinging with Moonglow, and these two characters finally get together (and just dance) after an hour of repressed 50’s sexual tension. It’s like, hypnotic, lulling you into this dream-like paradise for two…then all hell breaks loose. If you want to know more, rent the movie, I won’t spoil it for you here.

So back to the tunes.

#1 This week, July 1, 2009 is Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas. Imagine if a Diana Krall tune was #2. That’s how it used to be. Granted, you’ll get a few Jazz or other tunes reaching into the Top 20 now and then, if they’re from a movie usually. But gone the days when diverse talent like Fran Sinatra and Bill Haley shared the top positions on the charts.

Other #1 songs of 1956 included:

Dean Martin - Memories Are Made Of This
Gogi Grant - The Wayward Wind
Platters - My Prayer
Les Baxter - The Poor People Of Paris
Tennessee Ernie Ford - Sixteen Tons

All on the same chart. Krazy, ain’t it?

Clicking on the Tabs up top can lead to Fun and Exciting Adventures!

So, you’ve read every post already, and now you hunger for more Tiki! Fear not! There’s more behind the tabs!

• About - Some kooky stuff about yours truly, written while drinking a half a bottle of Wild Turkey.

• Jazz Music 101 - A short but informative page for people who want a quicky lesson on what Jazz is all about. From Big Band to Modern, I cover it all in one page. Ok, so I left a lot out. Well, I left most of it out. But there’s a groovy list of great Jazz songs that you can use to start building your collection and appreciation.

• Tiki Bar Music Exotic - An explanation and fast guide to the tunes you should be playing behind your rattan and bamboo. Lots of info on where to find the music. Coming soon…I’ll add a hit list, just like the Jazz page.

• Restaurant Reviews - Ok, so far there’s just one, so keep looking in the future. When the economy turns around and the Tiki Gods are smiling on South Florida once again, I’ll start to fill this up.

• Luau Party! How to have a luau party in your back yard on a tight budget. Sure, 11′ Tiki Idols and real Hawaiian girls dancing are nice, but you can still have fun with some cut outs from Party City. Check it out!

Thanks to everyone who’s been reading our Tiki Lounge Conversations…more to come soon!