Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Deborah Silver: Deborah Silver with the Count Basie Orch...

Deborah Silver: Deborah Silver with the Count Basie Orchestra: Basie Rocks!

By Kyle Simpler
June 6, 2025
View read count

Deborah Silver: Deborah Silver with the Count Basie Orchestra: Basie Rocks!

Jazz musicians frequently cover popular songs, but few do it quite like vocalist

Deborah Silver

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Deborah Silver. With Basie Rocks!, Silver teams up with the iconic

" data-original-title="" title="">Count Basie Orchestra for a genre-crossing collection that you truly have to hear to believe. This is a groove-charged big band album that reimagines classic rock and pop classics through the swinging lens of traditional jazz. While that premise might sound gimmicky on paper, the result is total sonic satisfaction.

Produced by

Steve Jordan

drums
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Jordan—drummer for

The Rolling Stones

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">The Rolling Stones—Basie Rocks! serves a dual purpose. On one level, it stands as a fitting tribute to the Basie legacy. On another, it's a creatively charged reinvention of beloved classic rock songs. Silver's confident vocals shine among a who's who of special guests. From the blistering opener, "Paint It, Black," featuring

Arturo Sandoval

trumpet
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Arturo Sandoval and

Pedrito Martinez

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Pedrito Martinez, to the tender sway of "Baby, I Love Your Way" with

Peter Frampton

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Frampton's tasteful guitar work, she brings each tune to new life.

Her duet with

Kurt Elling

vocals
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Kurt Elling on "Tainted Love" taps into deep soul-jazz territory, while

Bill Frisell

guitar, electric
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Frisell adds understated bluesy textures to "Fly Like an Eagle."

Trombone Shorty

trombone
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Trombone Shorty brings New Orleans fire to "Joy to the World," and

Herlin Riley

drums
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Herlin Riley joins Silver for a spirited take on "Old Time Rock and Roll." These are not just feature spots—they are full-fledged musical dialogues, and the chemistry is real.

One of the standout performances comes from tenor saxophonist

George Coleman

saxophone, tenor
b.1935

" data-original-title="" title="">George Coleman. His playing on "Every Breath You Take" adds unexpected emotional depth. At 90, Coleman, whose work with Miles Davis in the early '60s helped shape the post-Kind of Blue (Columbia 1959) era, is still a master of nuance and expression. His solo is a highlight that bridges generations with grace.

Throughout, the Count Basie Orchestra, directed by

Scotty Barnhart

trumpet
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Scotty Barnhart, provides the tight, propulsive swing that defines the record. Celebrating its 90th anniversary, the band sounds as vital as ever. The arrangements preserve the crisp punch of Basie's signature sound while folding in the melodies and grooves of classic rock with surprising ease.

Sure, there is a sense of humor here—after all, this is a big band album that includes a version of Joe Walsh's "Life's Been Good." But Seriously, Folks (as Walsh might have said), the intent is not parody but genuine respect. These are iconic songs for a reason, and the album treats them with both reverence and creative flair. It is inventive, infectious and, above all, fun.

In a world filled with cautious jazz covers, Basie Rocks! dares to take risks—and like the best jazz, it thrives on that spirit of exploration.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Paint It, Black �C feat. Arturo Sandoval & Pedrito Martinez; Bennie and the Jets; Baby, I Love Your Way �C feat. Peter Frampton; Tainted Love �C feat. Kurt Elling (duet), Steve Jordan, John Clayton; Band On The Run; A Hard Day��s Night �C feat. Monte Croft; Joy To The World �C feat. Trombone Shorty (duet); Fly Like An Eagle �C feat. Bill Frisell; Every Breath You Take �C feat. George Coleman; Old Time Rock & Roll �C feat. Wycliffe Gordon (duet) & Herlin Riley; Life��s Been Good �C feat. Scotty Barnhart of The Count Basie Orchestra.

Personnel

Deborah Silver

vocals

George Coleman

saxophone, tenor

Arturo Sandoval

trumpet

Bill Frisell

guitar, electric

Trombone Shorty

trombone

Kurt Elling

vocals

Pedrito Martinez

percussion

Wycliffe Gordon

trombone

Herlin Riley

drums

Count Basie Orchestra

band / ensemble / orchestra

Album information

Title: Deborah Silver with the Count Basie Orchestra: Basie Rocks! | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Green Hill Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

With a Song In My Heart: Exploring T...
< Previous

Fabio Arisi Quartet, BEATrio, Carol ...
Next >

Deborah Silver Concerts

Sep 17 Wed

Deborah Silver with Special Guest Elliott Yamin!

Catalina Jazz Club
Hollywood, CA

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.