Erroll Garner – Piano
Wyatt Ruther – Bass
Fats Heard – Drums
There has only been one
Erroll Garner and I think it is unlikely
that there will ever be another. To go
to one of his concerts, and I went to
many, was an absolute joy. There was no
wasted time, no gimmicks, just superb
playing of the best tunes that have ever
been. Erroll never even stopped when the
audience applauded, long before the applause
had died down at the end of one number,
he was already playing the introduction
to the next tune. Those introductions
too were something very special, often
long and never giving a hint of what the
tune was to be! His bass players were
always watching things carefully, to try
to work out which number he was going
to play and what key it would be in on
that night!
As this record demonstrates,
his playing was full of joy and he could
swing just as well on any tune or in any
key. This record is an important part
of any jazz collection, because it has
some of the best of one of the finest
jazz piano players ever. The programme
includes old favourites like his own composition
‘Misty’, George Shearing’s ‘Lullaby of
Birdland’, a lovely laid back version
of ‘Exactly
Like You’ and ‘In a Mellotone
(usually ‘In a Mellow Tone) and ‘I’ve
Got to be a Rug Cutter’ from the Duke.
Wyatt Ruther and Fats
Heard play their parts well, with Erroll
every one else had a supporting role,
but that is the stature of the man! Even
when playing his trade mark four in the
bar left hand, everything still swings
and he is never so far from the melody
that you can’t guess what the tune is.
The reproduction quality
is excellent throughout; the standards
of restoration possible with today’s tools
and skills are amazing.
I like it!
Don Mather
CD Reviews
NAXOS JAZZ LEGENDS 8.120771
