How About This is an album by vocalist Kay Starr and pianist and bandleader Count Basie, released in 1969 by the Paramount Records label.Kitora, R., Count Basie Discography, accessed November 15, 2015Edwards, D. & Callahan, M. Paramount Album Discography, accessed November 15, 2015
Background In the 1960s, Basie had previously recorded for Roulette Records, Reprise, and Verve, before recording single albums for a number of labels, including Paramount. In December 1968, he recorded How About This with Starr; Dick Hyman was responsible for the arrangements.
Starr's vocal performance was likened to that of Dinah Washington.
Reception
AllMusic awarded the album 4½ stars.Allmusic listing, accessed November 14, 2015
Track listing "I Get the Blues When It Rains" (Marcy Klauber, Harry Stoddard) – 3:04 "God Bless the Child" (Arthur Herzog, Jr., Billie Holiday) – 3:02 "Baby Won't You Please Come Home" (Charles Warfield, Clarence Williams) – 2:48 "Ain't No Use" (Leroy Kirkland, Sidney Wyche) – 2:46 "Keep Smiling at Trouble (Trouble's a Bubble)" (Buddy DeSylva, Lewis Gensler, Al Jolson) – 1:58 "If I Could Be with You" (James P. Johnson, Henry Creamer) – 2:41 "My Man" (Jacques Charles, Channing Pollock, Albert Willemetz, Maurice Yvain) – 2:46 "Hallelujah I Love Him So" (Ray Charles) – 2:59 "I Can't Stop Loving You" (Don Gibson) – 3:07 "Goodtime Girl" (Scott Davis) – 3:00 "A Cottage for Sale" (Willard Robison, Larry Conley) – 3:00
Personnel Adapted from All About Jazz and album liner notes. Kay Starr – vocals Count Basie – piano Al Aarons, Oscar Brashear, Gene Coe, Sonny Cohn – trumpet Richard Boone, Steve Galloway, Grover Mitchell – trombone Bill Hughes – bass trombone Bobby Plater – alto saxophone, flute Marshal Royal – alto saxophone, clarinet Eric Dixon – tenor saxophone, flute Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis – tenor saxophone Charlie Fowlkes – baritone saxophone Freddie Green – guitar Norman Keenan – bass Harold Jones – drums Dick Hyman – arranger, conductor
References