Focus [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Stan Getz | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 24, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1985
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000047CY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,657 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's clear this up October 1, 2003

By Arthur Hampton

Format:Audio CD

I was working the midnight shift in the lab at Clark Air Base in the Philippine Islands when this haunting sound came out of the radio. As the morning crew came to work EVERYONE stopped to listen to what was being played. I was mesmerized and stayed late to find out who was playing. This is NOT a combination of jazz and classical music. The music was arranged by Eddie Sauter, an amazing composer who was noted for the Sauter/Finnegan Orchestra which played a lot of cutting edge music in the 50's. It was written specifically for Getz, and Sauter was present at the recording. This was my first exposure to Getz, and I'll never forget it. A few months later I heard Desafinado, and again I was glued to the spot. This is not my favorite recording of Stan, but for that you need to pick up Stan Getz Quartets (if that's what they're calling it these days). It is a collection of tunes that he recorded in the late 40s, early 50s and was playing like a young man posessed. This is a more mature sounding player, but just as inspired.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not only Getz' favorite, but mine, too. June 22, 2005

By Tom Bruce

Format:Audio CD

The story behind the making of this record is almost as impressive as the record itself. Stan Getz had commissioned Eddie Suter to write something for him to record, and he gave Sauter carte blanche. Eddie came up with a suite for strings and drum. None of the sax parts were written. Stan was to totally improvise his work. A recording date was set. Unfortunately, the day before the date, Stan's mother died. Yet, the date established was the only one where the other instrumentalists could get together. So, they went in and laid down their parts. A few days later, Stan and Eddie went into the studio. Stan listened to the recordings just once and then recorded his glorious sax solos, laying his track onto the strings and drum recording to come up with the finished product. Only one movement of the suite had more than one take, and Stan and Eddie couldn't decide which was better, so they laid them out back to back on the finished product. I am a fan of Getz, and although I have been a life-long oldies rock and roll DJ, this is my favorite record of all time. Stan's marvelous, melodic, inventive, non-reptititve improvisations have never been better. Each movement of the suite is different and complete unto itself. Except for a few musical school concerts, I don't believe anyone has ever even tried to duplicate this achievement. Music lovers everywhere rejoice. This is the epitome of artistic triumph.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Stan's Favorite Record January 26, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

'Focus' was the record that Stan Getz always mentioned when interviewers asked him which was his favorite album that he had made. This is beautiful music. It is different...if you only like your jazz with a steady 4/4 walking bass and swinging ride cymbal with standard instrumentation, then you should pass on this one. 'Focus' has more of a classical instrumentation with a string section. Getz was only supplied with a transposed score...no parts were written for the saxophone. What you hear is Stan's response to Eddie Sauter's inspired writing. Getz's imagination and gift for melody is much in evidence. Roy Haynes is a gas on "I'm Late". This record is a real classic. The reviewers who call this 'elevator muzak' should expand their listening horizons.