Customer Reviews

Quintessence (Vol. 2)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This music is too late in the careers of either of the principals to live up to the title of the album, which nonetheless contains some extraordinary playing. "I'll Remember April," one of the best tunes in the American Songbook, has a tendency to limit freedom somewhat because of its insistent, programmatic chord structure. Not so here. In fact, this is a version I'm ranking up there with the Erroll Garner and Clifford Brown-Sonny Rollins recordings of the tune, maybe even higher. Getz lives up to expectations, and Chet beyond them. He's so free and "at home" with the tune that you'd think he was playing on blues changes or a single mode. Not a note is out of place. Nothing is wasted, yet nothing is missed. Somehow he manages to account for every harmonic turn without the least trace of "running the changes." Sublime and exemplary playing by a legend who even at this stage in his career could show he was capable of outdoing himself.

I am surprised at the beating the Quintessence releases have received. Stan and his band are in fine form, so even without Chet Baker this would be a solid CD. True, Chet's contributions are minimal in parts but he gets plenty of opportunities to shine--and Getz rarely steps over him, as many have stated. Perhaps the knowledge of underlying tension between Getz and Baker cause many to not listen with an open mind. That would be a shame, since even though Getz/Baker were not a match made in heaven as it would have seemed, this release is a valuable document of a collaboration that would soon end--much to the dismay of this listener.

Nine years or so after Getz death and a decade or more after Baker's we are reaching the bottom of their barrel of lost performances by these two lyrical Cool Jazz Giants.

Somewhat better than Quintessence 1, in that the Baker, who seemed in Q1 to be so intoxicated as to be unable to sing on-key, DOESN'T sing here. (don't get me wrong, I like Baker's early singing)

Playing by both seems pleasant and workmanlike but occationally oddly unemotional, burned out and effete, but not necesarily cool. Not either man's best efforts, but not their worst.

I notice than Concord has not seen fit to provide samples of the sound.

Getz arabesque treatment of "Blood Count" stands out, he has played this on many records and it's always intreguing, he never seems to play a song the same way twice. It's a wonder his band was able to so closely follow his ever-changing direction! Stan always seems to know when to play the melodic line and when to improvise. "Conception" which appears on this CD was last recorded by Getz in the very early 50's, as far as I know.

I hope Stan Getz son Steve will continue to try to discover lost Getz masterpieces.

by MY rating system, two & 1/2 ** means listenable but not equal to their best.

This album I found is one of the best with Baker/Getz that I have had the opportunity to listen to.There are others with these two featured but this is the best so far.

I'm tired of reading "critics" reviews stating these musicians were well past their prime (1983). While I'll admit these are not their best recordings........it's nothing to denigrate or otherwise be ashamed of! I submit to you "People Time", 3 months before Stan Getz's death and "The Last Concert", two weeks before Chet Baker's death!

The music as always depends on how pleasing it is to the listener!These tunes are composed by well known composers and musicians and more often than not are significant parts of the history of the performers themselves. While Getz and Baker did not get along personally, it never reflected in their professional relationship. Perhaps it was because, to me, they were so much alike in their musical makeup....the same sensitivities to the music.

Both musicians were incredibly lyrical. And to borrow words that I heard from a critic, they both had tremendous chops but didn't choose to beat you over the head with them. Both musicians were more interested in telling meaningful stories instead of dazzling the listener with their techniques.

This is a really fine set that anyone would enjoy having in their library and which would be chosen often for its listening pleasure!

Shame that very few people could understand difference in , instrumens, that they were played. TRUMPET is THE HARDIEST INSTRUMENT , in every sence, so playing a sax is a realy joke!!
Comparing this two guys, you will obviosly see, master mind of Chet , keeping in mind , above said.