Customer Reviews

Hampton & Getz

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Both Stan Getz and Lionel Hampton were in Hollywood appearing in the movie "The Benny Goodman Story" when they took some time off to record these sides for Norman Granz's Verve label. (Hamp was even busier: later on that day [8/1/55] he would cut an album for Granz with Art Tatum and Buddy Rich, and the next day he'd bring his big band into the studios to cut yet another LP).

Both men are in fine form and work well together. CHEROKEE, taken up-tempo, has an especially fine solo by Hamp. The other scorcher on the album, JUMPIN' AT THE WOODSIDE, has a good solo by pianist Lou Levy and some uncharacteristic honking by Stan (Getz plays more of an outline of a solo on this number, hitting in spots only the major note in each chord, rather than filling it out). On the slower numbers Getz is very breathy - you can hear the air escaping from the vibrating reed.

GLADYSE is a handsome blues by Hamp (named after his wife) and we get two takes here: the issued take is taken a bit faster than the alternate, and during the exchange of choruses in the alternate Hamp loses count and hits a clam. There's an unknown trombone player added on HEADACHE (conjecture says it might be Willie Ruff), but he's very much in the background. HAMP AND GETZ is a wonderful success and is very easy to take. This is what mainstream jazz at it's finest is all about.

Norman Granz (Verve founder and JATP Producer) must have been like a kid in a candy store in the 1950's when he was planning which all-stars to pair in various recordings and tours. His stable included a virtual who's who of big band legends and jazz up-and-comers and this session represents exactly that kind of pairing. You have Lionel Hampton on vibes, swing band icon who also became famous with the Benny Goodman small groups and Stan Getz on tenor who, at the time of this recording wasn't all that far removed from his seat in the famous "Four Brothers" sax section of Woody Herman. Backed by the quintessential west coast rhythm section of Levy, Vinnegar and Manne.....it swings!

Riddle: What happens when a tenor sax player of the Cool Bop School meets with a vibraphone player from the Swing School for a recording session? Answer: A recording session with the crackle and pop of lightening, where each player pushes the other to new and greater improvisational heights. From start to finish Lionel Hampton & Stan Getz play everything from Hard Bop Swing to sultry ballads with neither man upstaging or outshining the other.

What becomes apparent in this session is the mutual inspiration that Hamp & Getz draw from one another. "JUMPIN' AT THE WOODSIDE" and "CHEROKEE", the longest tracks featured, present both men at their virtuosic and pyrotechnic best. This recording will also be an eye-opener for Getz fans who are primarily familiar with his Cool and Bossa Nova recordings. His session with Lionel Hampton confirmed him as one of the most diverse saxophonists to emerge in the Bop and Post-Bop eras. This CD is a most welcome reissue of an extremely important Jazz collaboration.

This is such great music. The knowledgeable reviews below (and the disc's liner notes) tell you what you need to know about these great players and how they got together. I just want to assure potential buyers that anyone who likes music will like this. If you've found some jazz too harsh for your taste, try this great disc. It's definitely real music, but it goes down oh so easy.

Now here's a classic piece of music all Jazz Lovers should have.
Very enjoyable and entertaining. This also makes a great gift.

Getz and Hampton sound absolutely great together in this album. All tracks are standard classic jazz, arranged so beautifully by the artists. The CD is perfect for all moods and occasions. You will never tire of listening to this Jazz legends.

There are not enough superlative reviews of this album - more are needed.

Everyone should know who Stan Getz is - check out, for instance Getz/Gilberto, one of the all-time great recordings, that you should probably listen to even before this one. Get them both. You will love them both.

This recording also ought to be ranked among the great ones in jazz history. Hampton tears up the vibraphone. It's like when I first heard Astor Piazolla making love to his bandoleon, I thought, "Why don't more people play this instrument?" But of course there are other people on this as well. Getz, you can be assured, knows what to do with the saxophone. So that's the selling point, and good.

Another reviewer made a great point: you don't need to be a beatnik to love this. Everyone I've played this for (including my wife, whose taste in music tends toward the new age) absolutely loves it. It could be a great gateway drug to the world of jazz....

A truly remarkable CD with some truly remarkable musicians making some truly remarkable music. This is my first Lionel Hampton CD but it will not be my last. While Getz is pretty good for Getz, Hampton is simply fantastic and the band plays very well together. The remastering is nothing short of stellar. You will not be disappointed.

I'm 78 yr's old, I used to dance to this music. I've always loved Lionel Hampton and his vibes. you've given me a good sounding combo Gets is the best in tenor saxodpone. LOVE IT