Count Basie - 1940-1941 (2024)

The biggest change for the Count Basie Orchestra during this period of time is that after the first session (which resulted in four selections, including "Broadway"), Lester Young left the band, at first replaced by Paul Bascomb and then Don Byas. Otherwise, the classic orchestra remained intact and stayed at the same high swinging level. Among the highlights are the rare anti-racism protest song "It's the Same Old South," "Rockin' the Blues," the original version of "Goin' to Chicago Blues," and two numbers ("9:20 Special" and "Feedin' the Bean") that have the great tenor Coleman Hawkins guesting with the band.