As a pianist, he had a distinctive and influential style (the song title "Splanky" is an onomatopoetic reference to the sound of his playing), equally at home in the barrelhouse and the concert hall. Willie "The Lion" Smith, James P. Johnson, and Fats Waller were among his influences.
As a bandleader, he created an organization (built upon the remains of Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra) that was a favorite both of dancers and of vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and, of course, Billie Holiday. Equally important, it kept many musicians employed through lean years. Many jazz musicians of note built their chops and earned their bread and butter in Basie's organization.
In addition to Basie, the swinging "All American Rhythm Section" of his orchestra included greats such as Walter Page (bass), Jo Jones (drums), and Freddie Green (guitar). It was the greatest, most swinging rhythm sections in the history of jazz. Chief among its vocalists were, first, Jimmy Rushing and, later, Joe Williams. Over the years it boasted sidemen and soloists like Herschel Evans (tenor sax), Lester Young (tenor sax), Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tenor sax), Buddy Tate (tenor sax), Illinois Jacquet (tenor sax), Earle Warren (alto sax), Jack Washington (alto & baritone sax), Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), Buck Clayton (trumpet), Thad Jones (trumpet), Snooky Young (trumpet), Benny Morton (trombone), Benny Powell (trombone), and Dicky Wells (trombone).
Basie also collaborated with artists such as Zoot Sims and Oscar Peterson, and recorded with ensembles large and small, including the Count Basie Trio, the Count Basie Sextet, and the Kansas City Seven. Notable arrangers included Eddie Durham (who helped shape the Basie Orchestra's sound) and Neal Hefti.
It's sand man
Count Basie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But don't you look too close,
'Cause you just might see the person
That you hate the most, Lord
What's happening to this human race
I can't even see one friendly face
Brothers fight brothers and sisters wink their eyes
While silver tongues bear fruits of poison lies
Take a look at your children
Born innocent, every boy and every girl
Denying themselves a real chance
To build a better world
Oh, dear lord what's happening
To your precious dream
I think its washing away
On a bloody, bloody stream
Yes, take a look at your children
Before it's too late and tell them nobody
Nobody wins when the prize is hate
Oh, no, no, no it's not too late
We gotta tell all of our children
That love, love, love is the way, yeah, yeah
In "It's Sand Man," Count Basie encourages listeners to reflect on themselves and the state of the world around them. He tells his audience to take a look in the mirror but not too close, lest they see the person they hate the most. Basie highlights the unfortunate reality of the toll that hate is taking on human beings - brothers fight brothers, sisters look away as tongues spew poisonous lies, and the world around us is washed away in a bloody stream. As an artist, he believes that it's time to take a look at our children and emphasize to them the importance of love over hate. He believes that our youth are the only hope for building a better and more peaceful world for future generations.
Overall, Basie's words showcase the importance of reflecting inward and recognizing the negative patterns within ourselves and our communities. Only through a deep understanding of ourselves and the world can we heal the wounds of hate and division.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a look in the mirror, look at yourself
Reflect on your own actions and behavior
But don't you look too close,
Be careful not to overly criticize yourself
'Cause you just might see the person
You may realize that you are the person you dislike the most
That you hate the most, Lord
You may come to hate yourself the most
What's happening to this human race
The state of the world today
I can't even see one friendly face
People are not getting along with each other
Brothers fight brothers and sisters wink their eyes
People are warring with each other and others are turning a blind eye
While silver tongues bear fruits of poison lies
People with smooth talk spread harmful rumors and lies
Take a look at your children
Consider the next generation
Born innocent, every boy and every girl
Children are born pure and untainted
Denying themselves a real chance
Children are being deprived of opportunities
To build a better world
To make the world a better place for the future
Oh, dear lord what's happening
A plea for help and guidance from a higher power
To your precious dream
Refers to a vision of a better world
I think its washing away
The vision is being lost or destroyed
On a bloody, bloody stream
Refers to violence and war tearing apart the dream
Yes, take a look at your children
Repeat of earlier line, emphasizing the importance of future generations
Before it's too late and tell them nobody
Warns that time is running out to make things right
Nobody wins when the prize is hate
There are no winners in a world filled with hate and hostility
Oh, no, no, no it's not too late
Hopeful refrain that there is still time to change
We gotta tell all of our children
Collective responsibility to teach future generations
That love, love, love is the way, yeah, yeah
The solution to the world's problems is love and kindness
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE LAMBERT, EDDIE LEWIS, JON HENDRICKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaelrozeff4016
Great chart from a great edition of the band. Outstanding rhythm and swing. Jo Jones has some terrific accents and fills that sound years ahead of the time.
@normlove4460
Great lead alto from my father Preston Loves idol Earle Warren..later dad replaced him.
@Finkanslig
The Count and his men on a playground. Thank you.
Solo order: Ed Lewis (composer), Count Basie, and a nice Buddy Tate blow. Buck Clayton arrangement. :I:
Finkänslig 10 JUL 2014
@perodbergtrio8012
I think it is Harry Edison playing the trumpet solo
Christer
@normlove4460
What a band.This is the lineup my father Preston worshipped before he replaced his hero Earle Warren on lead Alto
@artutus856
qui est la pour l'ecole?