Who, Me?

This arrangement is part of Frank Foster's Vintage Basie Series, compositions performed and/or recorded by Count Basie and his world famous New Testament orchestra between 1953 and 1960. It's another 'straight ahead' blues, for which that band was especially noted. This particular selection is recorded on the Roulette Records LP Chairman Of The Board. The full ensemble blasts into the introductory chorus, followed by two choruses of the 'head' stated alternately by saxes and brass. Next comes a two-chorus saxophone section soli displaying no pyrotechnics, just simplicity and swing. A growling muted trumpet solo greases things up for a minute, backed up by trombones. Next of course what else but a typical 'Basie-styled' piano solo, couched in that All-American rhythm section format; you know the drill. After the piano the soft full ensemble takes over with a 24-bar build-up to the shout chorus, which is of course punctuated by a screaming open trumpet, and the piece ends with the customary dominant 13th chord with raised 11th, etc. The chart offers a somewhat nostalgic trip through Basieland circa 1960.