This record represents at least a step on Getz’s path back to the red-blood type tenor style after his prolonged and profitable stay on the more commercial side of the fence. True, the sambas are still represented, and the lady singer who appears on six tracks does little to help, but there are tracks of pure Getz, playing with that unapproachable finesse and conviction which made his pre-bossa period so magnificent. Astrud Gilberto is a bloodless singer, cool to the point of turning into cold water, and a little of her work goes a long way. Here she forms an irritating distraction to the leader’s playing. Rather like the sports fan who only goes to see his team win, I buy my Getz records to hear Getz play.
Gary Burton is an excellent vibes player, and the use of this instrument to replace the piano reminds me of the Clark Terry Duke With A Difference album, where Tyree Glenn tried the same thing. It works better here than on the Terry record, adding to the ethereal sounds. There are, however, passages where we find Getz in the stomp mood, notably during his fine solo on the track presumably dedicated to me. He also winds up into a fine blues drive through Summertime, and his consummate ballad work is at its best on Rainy Day. I need my helpings of Getz the way Sinclair Traill and Stan Dance need their Duke, and I’m sure that anyone who shares my feelings will want this record. But anyone else would be advised to decide whether or not they fancy Mrs. Gilberto before buying.
Discography
(a) Corcovado; (a) It Might As Well Be Spring; (a) Eu E Voce; (b) Summertime; (c) 6-Nix-Pix-Clix (20 min) – (c) Only Trust Your Heart; (c) The Singing Song; (a) The Telephone Song; (b) One Note Samba; (b) Here’s That Rainy Day (19 min)
(a) Stan Getz (ten); Astrud Gilberto (vcl); Gary Burton (vbs); Kenny Burrell (g); Gene Cherico (bs); Helcio Milito (d). NYC, 19/8/64.
(b) Getz; Gilberto; Burton; Chuck Israels (bs); Joe Hunt (d). Same date.
(c) Getz; Gilberto; Burton; Gene Cherico (bs); Hunt (d). Same date.
(Verve VLP 9081 12inLP 32s.)
