Stan Getz - Cool Velvet & Voices (1960 & 1966) [Jazz][mp3 320][h

Stan Getz - Cool Velvet & Voices
Original Release Date: March 1960
Audio CD ( July 25, 1995 )
Label: Verve ( 1995 )
Label: Polygram Records
Total time: 73:23
Bitrate: 320 kbps

In another generous release from Verve Records, Stan Getz fans are treated to two of the legendary saxophonist's best albums on one digitally remastered CD: 'Cool Velvet,' an album with strings, and 'Voices,' an excitingly experimental project featuring backup singers. Getz's grace and beauty of tone have rarely been as evident as they are on the 'Cool Velvet' tracks; ballads like 'The Thrill is Gone,' 'It Never Entered My Mind,' and 'Born to Be Blue' will leave no doubt in any listener's mind as to the level of his artistry. 'Early Autumn' and 'Round Midnight' get stunning renditions, and 'Whisper Not' picks up the pace ever so slightly, and the combination of Getz, vibraphone, and strings over the tune's catchy melody make for one of the most memorable moments in Stan's career. 'Voices' is another chance for Getz fans to indulge in his love of Bossa Nova; with the exception of a gorgeous, drowsily-swinging 'I Didn't Know What Time it Was,' every track gets a sensuous, Brazilian-influenced arrangement. What sets the project apart from others, however, is the inclusion of background singers; 'ooh's and 'aah's sing the parts that would more commonly be assigned to violins, and the idea works surprisingly well, providing a near-ethereal effect. The musical arrangements are simply perfect throughout, and the strongest work lies in the uptempo 'Nica's Dream' and the silky ballad 'Infinidad.' The end results simply cannot be beat: two albums, two distinct artistic approaches of a jazz legend, a top-notch remastering job, and extensive liner notes...all on one disc at a reasonable price. No fan of instrumental jazz could ask for more. ~ John Jones, Amazon.com

Two of tenor-saxophonist Stan Getz's lesser-known ( and least significant ) albums are combined on this single Verve CD. Just prior to recording his bossa-nova hits, Getz is backed by a string section arranged by Russ Garcia in 1960 on a variety of melodic standards ( the Cool Velvet portion of this disc ) while in 1966 he is joined by both a string section and a vocal choir arranged by Claus Ogerman. Some of the latter performances border on muzak. Although Getz's tone sounds as beautiful as ever, no fire is lit under his playing and his accompaniment is difficult to sit through. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG

Personnel:
Stan Getz ( Tenor Saxophone )
Blanchie Birdsong ( Harp ) - 1-10
Dave Hildinger ( Vibraphone ) - 1-10
Jan Johansson ( Piano ) - 1-10
Freddy Dutton ( Double Bass ) - 1-10
Sperie Karas ( Drums ) - 1-10
Russ Garcia ( Arranger, Conductor ) - 1-10
Herbie Hancock ( Piano ) - 11-21
or Hank Jones ( Piano ) - 11-21
Jim Hall ( Guitar ) - 11-21
Ron Carter ( Double Bass ) - 11-21
Artie Butler ( Percussion ) - 11-21
Bill Horwath ( Percussion ) - 11-21
Bobby Rosengarden ( Percussion ) - 11-21
Grady Tate ( Drums ) - 11-21
Claus Ogerman ( Arranger, Conductor ) - 11-21
Unknown Strings
Unknown Choir - 11-21

Cool Velvet: 1-10 tracks, recorded March 1960 in Baden-Baden, West Germany
Voices: 11-21 tracks, recorded December 2, 1966 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Yersey

Stan Getz - Cool Velvet & Voices Tracks:
01 The Thrill Is Gone ( Lew Brown/Ray Henderson ) 5:03
02 It Never Entered My Mind ( Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart ) 4:06
03 Early Autumn ( Ralph Burns/Woody Herman/Johnny Mercer ) 4:45
04 When I Go, I Go All The Way ( Russell Garcia ) 4:00
05 A New Town Is A Blue Town ( Richard Adler/Jerry Ross ) 2:42
06 'Round Midnight ( Thelonious Monk/Cootie Williams/Bernie Hanighen ) 3:07
07 Born To Be Blue ( Mel Torme/Robert Wells ) 3:53
08 Whisper Not ( Benny Golson ) 5:04
09 Good-Bye ( Gordon Jenkins ) 4:26
10 Nature Boy ( Eden Ahbez ) 3:02
11 Once ( Claus Ogerman/Guy Wood ) 2:50
12 I Didn't Know What Time It Was ( Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart ) 3:28
13 Nica's Dream ( Horace Silver ) 3:57
14 ( Little Rio ) Un Poco Rio ( Claus Ogerman ) 2:30
15 Keep Me In Your Heart ( Chiedilo A Chi Vuoi ) ( Giorgio Calabrese/Giancarlo Clonello/Sandy Crystal ) 4:01
16 Zigeuner Song ( Peter Kreuder/Günther Schwenn ) 3:10
17 Barbara's Theme ( aka 'I Want To Live' ) ( Johnny Mandel ) 2:56
18 Where Flamingos Fly ( John Benson Brooks/Harold Courlander/Elthea Pearl Brooks ) 3:07
19 Midnight Samba ( Werner Bochmann/Martha Bergner/Sandy Crystal ) 2:13
20 Infinidad ( Stanley J. Helber ) 2:09
21 Darling Joe ( Claus Ogerman/Timothy Gray ) 2:44