Search - Geraldo :: I Bring to You Sweet Music

Instrumental Numbers Really Score

Barry McCanna | Normandy, France | 07/14/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This centennial issue has much to commend it; the compilation spans 1933 to 1948, reflects the many facets of Geraldo's playing, and features excellent artwork. A pity then that the quality of the remastering is variable, particularly in the earlier recordings, which are lacking in clarity. That said, the proceedings start with a brief transcription from a radio broadcast, and progress through selections from Geraldo's Gaucho Tango, Rumba, and Sweet Music manifestations (I've always found the first-named a shade overblown, and hearing them again does nothing to overcome that deficiency in my taste).



Eve Becke's limited range made her the less than obvious choice to sing "Deep Purple", but if there's a better rendition of "Small Fry" than Al Bowlly's then I have yet to find it, and hearing Archie Lewis makes one wish more of his vocals were available.



However, it was with his instrumental numbers that Geraldo really scored, and they are well represented here. I particularly enjoyed Ivor Mairants' dedication to Charlie Christian. To sum up, this issue has its faults, but they are sufficiently far outweighed by its merits to be overlooked.





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