Count Basie Orchestra directed by Grover Mitchell with the New York Voices – Live at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild.
Recording Date: February 10, 1996.
Tracklist:
1. Down For The Count (5:50)
2. Whirly Bird (3:40)
3. Cottontail (3:03)
4. In A Mellow Tone (7:18)
5. Basie (4:25)
6. Please Send Me Someone To Love (4:09)
7. Bug Out (6:29)
8. Love Makes The World Go Round (4:50)
9. Farmer's Market (3.14)
10. Basie Power (3:00)
Released 1997.

This lesser-known CD is of great interest, for it features the Count Basie Orchestra (under the direction of Grover Mitchell) in top form and, on four numbers, the New York Voices. The Voices sound perfectly at home, showing off their jazz chops on "Cottontail," "In a Mellow Tone," "Love Makes the World Go Round" and "Farmer's Market." Except for the latter, which has words by Annie Ross, all of the lyrics are by the great Jon Hendricks. Otherwise, the Basie Orchestra (with solos by pianist George Caldwell, trumpeter Bob Ojeda, trombonist Clarence Banks, tenor saxophonist Kenny Hing and a few others) performs spirited versions of their usual repertoire, including "Whirly Bird," "Basie" and "Down for the Count." An excellent set of typically swinging music, worth searching for. (Scott Yanow)