Personnel:
Stan Getz (ts), Jimmy Raney (g), Horace Silver (p), Charles Mingus (b), Connie Kay (d) // Duke Jordan (p), Nelson Boyd (b), Phil Brown (d) // Gene Ramey (b)
Reference: FSRCD 367
Bar code: 8427328603676
On this splendid live recording from Birdland from the spring and summer of 1952 we find Getz in sparkling form. The mixture is typical of his repertoire of that period - bop originals, bebop variations on well-known tunes ('Long Island Sound' is based on 'Zing Went the Strings of my Heart', for instance), and ballads. His sound and general approach seem anything but cool, on joyful romps through the extended up-tempo tracks; moreover between Getz and guitarist Jimmy Raney there existed an excellent rapport, and the two men and their instruments blended well together. It is not surprising therefore that Raney, with his own quiet and unhurried approach, was the longest- serving member of the Stan Getz groups of this period. More than an hour of Stan Getz is always welcome. For it to be a live recording from Birdland is an extra bonus.
