Search - Stan Getz :: Plays (Shm)

An early preview of Stan's late style

rash67 | USA | 04/15/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Stan Getz started out Cool and dry, in the late 40's and early 50's with wonderful ballad technique, but not as much feeling & emotion as his masterworks in the eighties.



Amazingly enough, in this early Stan Getz album, Stan the Man sounds not like his other fifties albums, not like the Bossa Nova or Fusion Stan, but much like his mature style 30+ years later, in his last decade, his greatest era.



Well recorded for the time, in mono, but the Sound is glorious. Compare this to "Bossas and Ballads" recorded near the end of his life to see what I mean!



"Stella by StarLight", "Nobody Else but Me", "Tis Autumn" and "Body and Soul" are particularly nice.



early Getz to own!

Stan Getz is always the best choice for both Jazz aficionados and those novices completely new to the form. There will never be another sax player this good.



This really is one of the ten best Getz albums of all time, done before he became really popular."

Cool Genius

Anthony P. Mario | Cocoa, Florida United States | 10/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's said the gifts Stan Getz had included perfect pitch and perfect rhythm -- blessings to any jazz improvisationlist and certainly insight to his creative genius. "Stan Getz Plays" is young Getz at his best and, in my opinion, one of his best albums ever. Another talent of his noted by other jazz giants was an uncanny ability to decide what order the musical selections ought to be in -- perfect programming. This collection demonstrates his splendid feel for ballads, hard bop and easy going, straight ahead blowing. Like jazz itself, this album never gets old. By the way, the kid in the cover picture is Stan's son."

Classic Collection of Standards, Getz at his Best

C. CRADDOCK | Bakersfield | 01/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stan Getz Plays is a wonderful record, and though Stan Getz sounded consistently good throughout his long career, there is something special about this record for me--like all the pieces just fell magically in place. Stella By Starlight has interesting chord changes, and has been played by lots of musicians, but Stan was born to play Stella. Most often done in Bb, Getz does it in "G" for Getz. Perfection.



Lots of the tunes on this record are well known standards, done thousands of times, but Getz does them as text book examples, showing how it should be done, and making it all sound so easy. The Way You Look Tonight, Lover Come Back To Me, Body And Soul, Stars Fell On Alabama, Thanks For The Memory, These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You), How Deep Is The Ocean--all very familiar standards, but Getz manages to make them sound fresh and new. 'Tis Autumn is a beautiful tune that should be heard more, and ditto for You Turned The Tables On Me. The rhythm section is really in sync with him--great drums, bass, piano, and guitar.



Get Stan Getz Plays next time you want to get her in the mood."