Search - Stan Getz :: Apasionado

This has all the earmarks of a disaster . . .

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 07/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

". . . what with the master finding himself in a setting with electric piano, various synthesizers, background horn "sweetening," and fusion drummer Jeff Porcaro. But you know what? His res, the shear weight of his presence, lifts what could've been a lightweight, throwaway date into the stratosphere--or at least the upper atmosphere.



When this session was recorded in the early nineties, jazz was going through an awkward phase. It was thought by many that it could not compete with New Age and Fusion music without a little sweetening and compromise. If it stayed true to itself and its roots, it would find itself relegated to the musical backwaters of cultural irrelevance. The subsequent decade and a half have pretty thoroughly laid to rest that notion, but the jazz world at this time found itself littered with attempts to make it relevant.



This is one of those. And one of the more successful efforts. But it's almost entirely because of the enormous presence of Getz, the most significant sax voice of his generation, and one of a handful of giants on his instrument in the history of jazz.



Still, when all is said and done, this is a disc a lot more likely to appeal to fans of the Rippingtons than fans of Joe Lovano. The songs, all except one credited to Eddie del Barrio, Herb Alpert, and Getz himself, seldom rise above pleasant though rather generic-sounding jazz fusion, mostly of a vaguely Brazilian sort. Jobim lite.



On the other hand, it does have Kenny Barron on piano, Oscar Castro Neves on guitar, and Paulinho da Costa on percussion, players of the first rank, who generally lend the proceedings a gravitas not usually associated with smooth jazz, and even occasionally goose Mr. Getz into some impassioned statements.



Throw in some very slick arranging, production, and recording values and you have a disc that nearly swamps the leader in saccharin. But doesn't. Just barely.



Certainly worth owning, as any Getz disc is, if only for its novelty value and to hear the master beat the surrounding fluff into submission. But not essential. If faced with a choice, you're better off with Bossas & Ballads: The Lost Sessions, from around the same period, which IS among Getz's greatest ever discs. Four-and-a-half stars."

PASSIONATE STAN GETZ MASTERPIECE~BRAVO MR. GETZ!!!

Bradly Briggs | TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA | 05/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The legend of Stan Getz has always fascinated me and in 1990 when this masterpiece was released, Stan Getz made an appearance on the Boston Pops where he also played with the other guest artist Melissa Manchester and was so extraordinary that I purchased "Apasionado" upon its release!! Hypnotic is the opening title song and Stan plays with so much soul that I am carried away each time and the arrangement is incredible!! Kenny Barron on Acoustic Piano is also amazing and this is truly a magical musical journey that is a great escape and the best instrumental set in my collection that I come back to year after year!!! Orchestrations flow and the fluid solo of Stan in "Coba" is again brilliantly complemented by the masterful Kenny Barron creating a rich tropical delight full of passion. Totally inspired is this set of original classics that were all composed by producer Herb Alpert, arranger Eddie del Barrio and Stan Getz himself!!! Mesmerizing is the enchanting "Waltz For Stan" with Stan giving a soulful and glorious performanace quite unlike anything I have ever experience before and the arrangement again beautifully showcases his classic solo. Exotic latin rhythms caress and surround a gorgeous passionate solo that is full of fire in the exquisite "Espanola" while fascinating rhythm changes make "Madrugada" a wild ride with incredible interplay between Stan and Kenny Barron with both at their absolute peak!! Each work has its own unique feel with Stan mellow yet powerful and all over the map and at his all time creative peak and one would never know that he was extremely ill when this recording was made. I was so sad when he passed away so quickly after its release as this was a new plateau...Stan weaves a mellow spell in the beautiful jazzy "Quiet Storm" classic "Amorous Cat" and gives another masterful performance in the tour-de-force "Midnight Ride" which again features GREAT keyboard playing by Kenny Barron that flows beautifully with Mr. Getz who is at an incredible peak in this stunning masterpiece that is a ride you won't want to end!!! Ending this soulful set is the soft and haunting "Lonely Lady" that is a 4 A.M. classic that is very smooth and a lovely ending to a remarkable set that is my personal favorite from this legend...Thank You Mr. Getz for this incredible gift that is from your soul...This is a timeless classic..."

Stan and synths

Mark N. Russell | Rochester, N.Y. | 01/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though said to be already ill with the cancer that would kill him, one would hardly know from Stan Getz's sure way with the melodies on this disc in which synthesizers fill the function of strings (adding color and aural background.) Trad listeners might be put off by producer Herb Alpert, fearing too much gloss, but Getz specifically thanks his producer . The production is deft with arrangements by Alpert and synthesizer player Eddie del Barrio leaving the Latin style songs (written by del Barrio, Alpert, and Getz) as showcases for the tenor. Too, Getz's late career muse Kenny Barron is on acoustic piano lending his classy and wise leavening touch. A personal favorite track is "Waltz For Stan" with its caressing sound from the honoree. "Midnight Ride" and the title tune also warm the ears and heart. I like this as much as the different, but equally gorgeous "Winter Moon" by Art Pepper (another five star with strings.)"