What's average for Stan it's not average for any other.
Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 07/16/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I still have to find a cd where Stan Getz is nothing less than amazing and I have almost all his complete work or at least a lot of albums from each of his best periods. I agree with the previous reviewer observations about this album. Nevertheless in my opinion it deserves at least four stars, even considering the combo Stan was playing with. This double cd album comes from the sixties a fabolous musical period for Stan even if he was living in Europe. He is accompanied here by a combo which was not at his height, but hey, his height is Olympus so it's not easy to fly so high for anyone! This doesn't mean that these muscians were amateurs or that they played bad that day. On the contrary, their soft approach in front of such a big star such as Getz, let Stan be freer to play "easier", even more romantic than usual and the result is very pleasing. What you'll find in this pricey gatefold album is Stan at the peak of his form playing sweet and lovely, with a particular warmth, in complete serenity and happiness I may say. The program is very beautiful and relaxed. I strongly suggest the purchase of this album to Stan's lovers even if it's not one of his best for sure. But what's average for Stan, is absolutly not average for any other. If you know Stan, you know what I mean."
Getz, in Europe, soars with melody
rash67 | USA | 06/11/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"In the '58 following his drug bust, Stan Getz married a Danish (?) millionairess who wisked him off to Europe. Otherwise he might have ended up like Art Pepper, with the police, finding out he was out of jail, waiting a few months, and showing up in his doorstep busting him again and again. (read "Straight Life" by Pepper) Pepper spent the best part of his life in jail. But Getz didn't, he lived in Europe for years and then they bought a fortress in New York.
While in Europe, waiting for a less punative climate in America and Bossa Nova, Stan gathered up the local musicians and put out albums like this one from Denmark, Cafe Montmartre. Stan soars and flies like an eagle above the efforts of a backup band that provides a sonic wallpaper background but doesn't offer much invention. Nevertheless the music here is melodic, lyrical, frequently very slow tempoes and Stan's horn sounds rich and round.
The last three songs on CD One are very melancholy and quite heartfelt "When the Sun Comes Out", "Just a Child" and "Folks Who Live on the Hill". This album set has been overlooked for years. While it isn't his best album, the music is pleasant, leisurely and he plays songs herein that are not to be found on any of his other albums, so far as I know, like "Pammies Tune".
Three to four stars on my tough grading system. Recording quality is good for the times. Album notes in Japanese, mostly."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1