Customer Reviews

Contrasts

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this is a very fine record. nobody plays the piano like errol garner. its hard to believe he only has two hands. if you dont own his concert by the sea, the best selling piano record of all time (recorded one year after this) then this is a great introduction to him. if you do own that record, then this is a great companion piece.
recorded by the trio in 1954, contrasts includes a fine version of the song you are my sunshine and the first recording of his classic song misty. this is the king of record they call a desert island classic.

Erroll Garner was known for his distinctive and unique style of playing the piano: he often kept the beat in his left hand, which gave his piano playing an almost guitar-like style. This album was recorded in July of 1954, and of the 13 tracks that are on this release, Garner recorded 11 more at this same recording session! (all of them 1st takes!) Joining Erroll on piano are Wyatt Ruther on bass and Eugene "Fats" Heard on Drums, also featured on "Sweet and Lovely" is conga player Candido Camero.
This recording is a great starting point to those interested in Garner's piano style and his solos, which are always inspired and exciting. For those who have not listend to his legendary "Concert by the Sea" or "Gems," I would recommend this as your next step in expanding your Erroll Garner listening adventures. The trio featured on this album was his regular touring trio at the time, and you can tell that the musicians really feed off of eachother's energy. My favorites are Garner's own "7-11 Jump," which is a really lively Bop tune that makes your toes tap, Ellington's beautiful "In a Mellow Tone," and of course, the legendary first recording of Eroll's signature tune "Misty."
As for the title of the album:
"When I was sequencing this session I heard two of Erroll's distinct facets: the romantic balladeer and the hard-driving, swinging guy. So I decided to call the album Contrasts," says Garner's longtime manager (and album producer), Martha Glaser.
This quote really says it all about Erroll and his playing! Pick up a copy of this album and imagine yourself in a dimly lit, smokey jazz bar in the 1950s!

you should take care to not buy both this cd and contrasts, for they are the same, except that contrasts has the song sweet and lovely, and this one lady be good. otherwise, duplicate. they are advertised above as customer who buy this usually buy that. i hope not. i don't have even $7 incl s and h to waste these days; how could i make this mistake, since i listen to wonderful garner very often.

There's nothing really to say: You can't possibly go wrong in getting this release. If yer an Errol Garner fan, then you probably already have it, and if not on CD then try lissening to it on CD.