"This is not the Basie band of Lester Young, Herschal Evans and Buck Clayton. Many of the soloists do not have the innovative edge of the earlier band. However. there are other virtues: the writers provide settings that exploit the rhythmic strengths and techniques of the band. Recorded fifty eight years ago, the music still sound fresh and new. Inevitably, there are repetitions including: four `Whirly Bird', two `Little Pony', two `Moten Swing', but that does not detract from the richness of the album and the pleasure of listening to such an important band at length. For anyone who enjoys the Basie band of the fifties these recordings are essential especially as there are few live recordings of the band from this era. Phono should be congratulated for putting these important recordings into circulation".