Count Basie – At The Savoy Ballroom 1937 (Sagapan, 1971 First Pressing)
This album features one of Basie's most regarded performances and features the incredible Billie Holiday. She had joined the Basie Orchestra for his US tour in order to build upon her current status (she was in direct competition with Ella Fitzgerald at the time). Outside of the music (which is stunning in itself) the tour was a nightmare, with Holiday's heavy drug use and tantrums causing constant problems. She supposedly would refuse to walk on stage until Basie handed her payment over, and she would often demand more, which he would have to pay otherwise she wouldn't perform. However its also safe to say that she was not getting the recognition she deserves, and in fact this record has no mention whatsoever to her even being in the group, even though her performances are stand-out!