Search - Erroll Garner :: Concert By the Sea

Historic, memorable, fun, exciting (insert positive adjectiv

Eric C. Sedensky | Madison, AL, US | 05/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Never a big fan of live jazz recordings, which can be uneven and distracting, this is one where there are none of those issues. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reminded me of George Avakian's influence on this work, so I decided to revisit it and write a review. It turned out to be a good project for a Memorial Day weekend, as this is a memorable and historic recording that does not disappoint. Despite it being a trio, Garner's piano is recorded much hotter than the bass and drums, and he makes the most of it. His Autumn Leaves is suitably rich, and his April in Paris is quiet, dignified, and understated (like April ... in Paris). As I've said, the production level is high, especially for a live recording, and Stanley Dance provides the informative, interesting liner notes. (For more of Stanley Dance's work, check out Earl Hines Plays Duke Ellington and Coleman Hawkins' The Stanley Dance Sessions.) My favorite song is They Can't Take That Away from Me, where his treatment of the oft-repeated notes and phrases seems to be setting the tone for some of the better later piano-trio versions (such as Billy Taylor's on Billy Taylor Trio). Top to bottom, this recording has great song selection, great production, helpful liners, and a great pianist treating a respectful audience to a lively evening of entertainment. You can't ask for much more than that from a single CD. Buy it.

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Erroll By Starlight

Alfred Johnson | boston, ma | 08/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Misty sprays furiously coming off of the rocks in some seaside scene. Smoke-filled nightclubs with the tinkling of martini glasses and of the piano. Better yet, background music for some Bogart film noir of the 1950's. That is what the jazz piano of Mr. Errol Garner reminds me of. And it seems natural to believe in those dream-like scenarios mentioned above as Garner's heyday was in the 1950s when jazz was going through some turns and it needed to rest, a little, on his capable shoulders. I need only add, since this concert took place in Carmel, California in 1955, that this is one of the few times that the future mayor of Carmel, actor/director Clint Eastwood, and I can agree on something. He has used Garner's work as background in more than one of his films. Hell, he may have been in the audience for this one. I wish I was."

The Hobo Philosopher

Richard E. Noble | Florida Panhandle | 05/10/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is classic Erroll. If you only had one Erroll album, this would be a good one to have. I have it in vinyl and in CD form. Concert by the Sea, I got for free back in the 50's when I first joined the Columbia Record Club. I play the drums as a hobby, and I'm still playing to this one. It is upbeat; it's in person; it's great.



This, of course, is the updated re-recorded Columbia Master Series. So the sound is even better than on the original. I have them both. You can't miss with this one."