A Must for Getz fans
Paul Duke | Los Angeles, CA USA | 08/23/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a wonderful record, and anyone who is a fan of Stan Getz will enjoy his excellent playing here, with great company -- Jimmy Rowles, an idiosyncratic and charming pianist who was somewhat underappreciated because he spent most of his career on the west coast, and the greats Buster Williams and Elvin Jones. A couple of performances here are real classics -- especially "The Peacocks", a beautiful tune which was also performed by some other fine musicians for the soundtrack of the film "Round Midnight." My only quibble is the Jon Hendricks vocal additions on two tunes -- he transcribed two of Getz's improvised solos and overdubbed sung versions of the solos later, so it sounds like Getz and the singers are improvising together. I find the effect weird. And especially on this GREAT performance of Wayner Shorter's "The Chess Players" (why is this incredibly swinging tune not played more often?) I dearly wish I could hear it without the voices. If anyone from Columbia happens to read this -- there are many of us fans out here waiting for a re-release of this album with a bonus track WITHOUT the voices. What heaven that would be."
Mid-70's jazz ballad standard
J. Cohen | Long Island, New York USA | 06/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A mid-70's jazz masterpiece!
This title has always been a jazz ballad hallmark, hailed by the '70s and '80s jazz critics, but now largely forgotten.
Rowles' relaxed style allows Getz and company to stretch out and explore the songs. "The Peacocks" is a minor key blues ballad that allows Getz to express his trademark mournful style. Lester Left Town is a classic Shorter hard bop song, and is a sample of the rich variety the bop composition could contain. (The other classic Shorter composition, the Chess Players, adds strange lyrics which have nothing to do with chess).
Hasn't dated one bit!!!
"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1