Basie & Beyond 1955-1957

Here are 22 tracks illustrating Joe Williams' transition from Count Basie's greatest singer to a solo star in the jazz world. The set begins with 10 tracks from his tenure with Basie recorded between 1955 and 1957. The second half of this set features his debut LP released in 1957 "A Man Ain't Supposed to Cry" which is featured in it's entirety from tracks 11-22. This is a wonderful mix of rocking blues and sophisticated ballads from a performer of immense importance who after leaving his tenure with the Basie band in 1961 went on to record scores of excellent albums. Sit back and listen as Joe Williams wraps his rich baritone voice around these superb tracks