Stan Getz - Essential Getz Songbook (14 tracks) +Album Reviews

A Great Compilation by a Jazz Master

John F. Temmerman | Skokie, Il United States | 07/28/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Stan Getz was among the masters of the Tenor Saxophone. This particular compilation is from recordings he made on Verve records, and spans recording dates from early 1952 to late 1963. It includes two cuts, "The Girl from Ipanema" and "Corcovado" from the Getz/Gilberto session. He is also heard with various groups, including such sidemen as Shelly Manne, the Oscar Peterson Trio (without a drummer!), Mose Allison, Charley Bird and Kenny Burrell.This CD is fairly representative of Stan's work. He sounds great in all settings, His smooth, lyrical, yet fluent technique is evident throughout. The tunes are standards, tempos range from ballads (Body and Soul) to medium swing. There are no furious tempos.The track list is:Body and Soul
These Foolish Things
Of Thee I Sing
Serenade in Blue
All The Things You Are
Detour Ahead
Pennies From heaven
It Never Entered My Mind
Early Autumn (recorded later than his initial famous solo)
Bahia
Round Midnight
CorcovadoMoonlight in Vermont
The Girl From IpanemaWhile, I like most of the tracks except for Bahia, which has an unfocussed arrangement, as compilations go, there could be some minor improvements. In a compilation, I like to see wider coverage of an entire career, which in Stan's case lasted into the 80's. Also, there are no songs with really fast tempos. He was a master of time at all tempos and some up-tempo pieces should have been included. For this reason, I went 4 stars, I like more breath in the compilations and the entire Getz/Gilberto album should be enjoyed, not just a few of the cuts.My favorite cuts are the two from the Getz/Gilberto album plus "Pennies From Heaven" with the Oscar Peterson Trio.He was known for his sound: big, lyrical, unique and immediately identifiable. However, the people who focus on the sound sometimes give short shrift to his technical facility. One, which in my opinion, at least approached the facility of Coltrane and was comparable to the other masters of the tenor. Even though he did not push the edges of the instrument the way Trane did, nevertheless, he was a trailblazer. "The Girl From Ipanema", with the famous version included in this CD, is a part of nearly every tenor sax player's repertoire and that is Stan's contribution. His Getz/Gilberto CD was seminal in taking the instrument into Brazilian and Latin music. I, for one, am glad that he did. Plus, his solos, at whatever tempo, we very well-constructed and deliberate. He was quoted one time as saying, "I never played a note I didn't mean" and that is a high standard applied to any improvising musician. He, like Coltrane, has his disciples, too.He initially became famous as part of Woody Herman's "Four Brothers". The story is that he became famous with an improvised solo on "Early Autumn", which is in a difficult key for many saxophonists. He performed new and interesting music throughout his career and his albums were well regarded by listeners and musicians alike.I recommend this CD for anyone wanting an introduction to his work or looking to add to their collection of his playing. Obviously, like on any compilation, you need to look at what cuts you already have. Plus, many of these songs are included in the available transcription books and, so, I almost always recommend this CD to my jazz students. Certainly, this music is worthy of study by any jazz saxophonist and might be interesting for other instruments as well."

Outstanding

Jon Warshawsky | San Diego, CA USA | 10/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sometimes 'Best of' or 'Essential' albums really aren't, but in this case I think Verve did a great job. This album is worth buying just for 'All the Things You Are' and 'Bahia' (from the classic Jazz Samba album), the former over 7 minutes of pure saxophone and piano nirvana. 'Bahia' may be Getz' most addictive number, but 'Round Midnight' almost surpasses, with some of the most passionate sax (sorry!) ever recorded.Even for those who are not Stan Getz devotees, this is a perfect sampler of the guy John Coltrane envied (if you believe the liner notes). This is extremely accessible jazz/bossa nova -- you don't have to be a die hard Getz fan to listen, and by the time the program is over -- well, by that time you may very definitely be a die hard Getz fan.Highly recommended."

Good one.

Antonio Palacios | Perú | 11/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well.. I have a personal personal story with this album. Normaly I listen to a new record three or four time the firsts days after the purchase so I can get the tunes and dig into the music. When I can't ¨connect¨with the album I prefer to sell it. It happened to me with this CD.

I have to say that I prefer more challenging stuff in jazz... like Coleman or Coltrane, and this album sounds so weak to my ears. I'm not a heavy fan of bossa nova, I have to confess. I even think bossa nova isn't jazz at all. But, instead of sell it, I decided to keep the album, I didn't know why but I did it.

I have been rediscovering the album these days. Now I know why Stan getz is called ¨the sound¨: His tone is full, warm and very rich. His soloing style is unique and I'm starting to like bossa nova, all thanks to ¨Bahia¨ and ¨Corcovado¨. In a certain way, it changed my point of view about this genre in particular.

In conclusion, ¨The Getz Songbook¨ is perfect way to introduce yourself into the Getz sound and take an approach to the bossa nova stuff."

An Ideal Introduction to "The Sound" of Stan Getz

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 05/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Stan Getz was a tenor of the first rank who, while exploring and pursuing a purity of musical expression, maintained a large following... The primary reason for his greatness and his popularity lies elsewhere, in his tone. It is uniquely his. Big and pure and rich and definite, it possesses such an intrinsic appeal that master saxophonist and innovator John Coltrane proclaimed his envy of it - and Roost Records released a Getz album in the Fifties called, simply and accurately "The Sound." ~ Benjamin Franklin V ~

"The Essential Stan Getz" is a collection of the very best and most charming recordings of Getz between 1952 and 1963. It is a mix of Great American standards and Bossa Nova staples in which the great saxophonist both excelled in. He is supported by the most brilliant conductors he had ever known, Claus Ogerman and Russell Garcia, and also a bevy of the finest musicians whom he had long-lasting relationships, the likes of Oscar Peterson, Charlie Byrd, Kenny Burrell, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Shelly Manne, Lou Levy, Leroy Vinnegar, João and Astrud Gilberto, among others.

For someone looking to start a Stan Getz collection, I most definitely recommend this compilation for a starter to better appreciate his distinctively gorgeous sound. The entire CD is such a joy to listen to especially the best tunes that are so powerful and can captivate your ears at first listen - "Early Autumn," "All The Things You Are," "Bahia," "Moonlight in Vermont," "Pennies From Heaven," "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" and "Girl From Ipanema."

Have a pleasant listening experience!"

Just Like The Title Says.....It's Essential That You Have It

Alex Udvary | chicago, il United States | 05/10/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"At first I wasn't really caught up with Getz's style of playing but that all changed when I bought this. A great selections of songs. All very relaxing to listen to on a "lazy" day. Of course many know Getz for his bossa nova pieces. And two of the biggest songs he recorded are here "The Girl Of Ipanema" and "Corcovado". Both themselves are priceless. As well as several other wonderful songs. Listen to his playing on "Body and Soul". It almost reminds me of the famous recording done by Coleman Hawkins. "Pennies From Heaven" is mostly a swinger with the Oscar Peterson quartet backing Getz. Just by knowing that...you can guess something great is going to happen. And "All The Things You Are" is played at a faster tempo at one point Getz gets into a bossa nova beat. But it still doesn't take away the beauty of Kern's song. Look,you can read this review and wonder if you should buy it or not....but if you chose not to...you have no idea what your missing!"

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