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ERROLL GARNER Jazz Standards Vol.2 NAXOS Jazz Legends 8.120661

 

1	Sometimes I’m Happy	11	Body and Soul
2	Embraceable You	12	It’s Easy to Remember
3	Always	13	I Surrender Dear
4	Lover, Come Back To Me	14	Love Walked In
5	I Can’t Get Started	15	I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby
6	I’ve Got You Under My Skin	16	Skylark
7	Blue Skies	17	Rosalie
8	Don’t Blame Me	18	Stairway to the Stars
9	Where Or When	19	Everything Happens to Me
10	If I Loved You	20	On the Sunny Side of the Street

These recordings of that piano genius Erroll Garner were made during the years just prior to his progress from being a ‘scuffling’ night-club performer to becoming a major international star. The first six tracks feature solo piano, the rest have bass and drums accompaniment.

All the tunes are recognized and well-loved standards that remained in Garner’s repertoire throughout his career. But it was his unique style and treatment of such material that made him a master – the left hand laying down a solid rhythm whilst the right hand explored and embroidered every facet of the melody and chords. Ballads were played with much feeling and expression and up-tempo numbers ‘swung like the clappers.’

For those readers who are not familiar with Garner’s music I strongly urge you to listen to this CD, without any extraneous background, and enjoy the early work of one of jazz’s greatest pianists. I’m sure it will become a base for many additions. There will be very few of you who don’t get hooked!

Jack Ashby

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