The Original American Decca Recordings


The Original American Decca Recordings is a 1992 compilation 3-CD set of sessions led by jazz bandleader Count Basie recorded for the Decca label between 1937 and 1939.

Reception

For Allmusic Scott Yanow wrote "This magnificent three-disc set has the first 63 recordings by Count Basie's Orchestra, all of his Deccas. The consistency is remarkable and the music is the epitome of swing... This is the first Count Basie collection to acquire and should be in every jazz collection".
The Penguin Guide to Jazz identified this set as part of their suggested "Core Collection" of essential jazz albums and awarded the compilation a "Crown" signifying a recording that the authors "feel a special admiration or affection for".

Track listing

All compositions by Count Basie except where noted.
Disc one: 1937
  1. "Honeysuckle Rose" – 2:58
  2. "Pennies from Heaven" – 3:00
  3. "Swinging at the Daisy Chain" – 2:48
  4. "Roseland Shuffle" – 2:32
  5. "Exactly Like You" – 2:41
  6. "Boo Hoo" – 2:25
  7. "The Glory of Love" – 2:29
  8. "Boogie Woogie " – 2:49
  9. "Smarty " – 2:40
  10. "One O'Clock Jump" – 3:00
  11. "Listen My Children and You Shall Hear" – 3:05
  12. "John's Idea" – 2:53
  13. "Good Morning Blues" – 3:12
  14. "Good Morning Blues" – 3:03
  15. "Our Love Was Meant to Be" – 2:45
  16. "Time Out" – 3:01
  17. "Topsy" – 3:12
  18. "I Keep Remembering" – 2:45
  19. "Out the Window" – 3:08
  20. "Don't You Miss Your Baby" – 3:08
  21. "Let Me Dream" – 3:09
Note
Disc two: 1938
  1. "Georgianna" – 2:33
  2. "Blues in the Dark" – 3:04
  3. "Sent for You" – 2:57
  4. "Every Tub" – 3:14
  5. "Now Will You Be Good?" – 2:46
  6. "Swingin' the Blues" – 2:45
  7. "Mama Don't Want No Peas 'n' Rice 'n' Coconut Oil" – 2:51
  8. "Blue and Sentimental" – 3:10
  9. "Doggin' Around" – 3:02
  10. "Stop Beatin' Round the Mulberry Bush" – 3:01
  11. "Stop Beatin' Round the Mulberry Bush" – 3:04
  12. "London Bridge Is Falling Down" 2:55
  13. "Texas Shuffle" – 3:07
  14. "Jumpin' at the Woodside" – 3:08
  15. "How Long Blues" – 2:55
  16. "The Dirty Dozen" – 3:01
  17. "Hey Lawdy Mama" – 2:44
  18. "The Fives" – 2:45
  19. "Boogie Woogie" – 3:01
  20. "Dark Rapture" – 2:38
  21. "Shorty George" – 2:44
  22. "The Blues I Like to Hear" – 3:07
  23. "Do You Wanna Jump, Children?" – 2:39
  24. "Panassie Stomp" – 2:47
Note
Disc three: 1939
  1. "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" – 2:54
  2. "Sing for Your Supper" – 2:42
  3. "Oh! Red" – 2:53
  4. "Fare Thee Honey, Fare Thee Well" – 3:04
  5. "Fare Thee Honey, Fare Thee Well" – 3:02
  6. "Dupree Blues" – 3:04
  7. "When the Sun Goes Down" – 2:45
  8. "When the Sun Goes Down" – 2:54
  9. "Red Wagon" – 2:52
  10. "You Can Depend On Me" – 3:07
  11. "Cherokee, Part 1" – 3:10
  12. "Cherokee, Part 2" – 3:03
  13. "Blame It on My Last Affair" – 2:43
  14. "Blame It on My Last Affair" – 2:42
  15. "Jive at Five" – 2:49
  16. "Thursday" – 3:04
  17. "Evil Blues" – 3:13
  18. "Oh, Lady Be Good!" – 3:10
Note

Personnel