Customer Reviews

Stan Getz with Cal Tjader

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

 

 

It's unusual to find Stan Getz recording on the Fantasy label in 1958, when these sides were made, getting second billing no less. He could thank his boss Norman Granz for that, though, who "loaned" Getz to Fantasy to record with Tjader "for a fee." Ah, well. It didn't seem to bother Stan, however, because he plays marvelously on the date. (Maybe having just heard that he won the Down Beat and Metronome polls again further inspired him.)

Tjader is an excellent vibes player who specialized in Latin jazz. He and Stan do some of their best playing on the up-tempo samba GINZA SAMBA. LIZ-ANNE, a Tjader composition, is a medium-up waltz that swings nicely, with good solos by Stan and Cal. Guitarist Eddie Duran has a well-developed solo on CROWS NEST, a medium-up blues, and Getz is at his prettiest on I'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACE. The seldom heard MY BUDDY gets a nice relaxed treatment that makes you want to hear it more frequently. This is a great album, relaxed and swinging, and containing excellent tune choices. Definitely worth checking out.

[Whatever happened to the OJC CD issue of this album?]

Imaginative, vibrant and great SACD sound. The band includes Vince Guaraldi, Scott LeFaro, Billy Higgins and Eddie Duran. Recorded in 1958 when they were all at the top of their game. The SACD mastering is well done and this is a hybrid so you can play it anywhere. The compositions are imaginative and exciting. One of my favorite jazz discs and I play it often.

the cd layer is not any better than the cd remaster from the 90's. Get that and save some money. And that is no great recommendation, as few modern jazz sessions sound as poorly recorded and remastered as this one was, which is really unfortunate as the music is great.
Having said that, as I don't have an SACD player, I don't know if the SACD layer is the same crumby remaster as the cd layer. Take your chances.

I am trying not to be cynical, but one gets the feeling that the music, and the customer, and the musician's interests are secondary to pumping out product.