Personnel:
Gabor Szabo, François Vaz (g), Louis Kabok (b), Randy Cierly (Fender bass), Mike Melvoin (organ), Jim Keltner (percussion), George Ricci (cello)
Reference: SK 1005 CD
Bar code: 8427328447058
Labeled as "the Nureyev of the guitar" by jazz critic Leonard Feather, Gabor Szabo was at his creative peak when this record appeared. On 1969, Gazor Szabo puts a jazz spin on popular songs of the 1960s, including "Walk Away Renee" (a major hit for the Four Tops), the Beatles' "In My Life," and Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now".
Again, there were many jazz artists who wouldn't have touched these songs in 1969 they would have insisted on providing yet another version of "Our Love Is Here to Stay" or "My Funny Valentine". But Szabo acknowledges that worthwhile popular music didn't die with George Gershwin. The Hungarian guitarist doesn't always stretch out as much as he could on this album. But Szabo still deserves credit for bringing a jazz perspective to songs that so many other improvisers were ignoring.
Produced by Gary McFarland, this 1969 date originally came out on vinyl and its finally reissued on CD in its entirety.
"In the late '60s, many jazz artists were ignoring the rock and soul hits of the day -- when called upon to interpret popular songs, they stuck to their favorite Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and Irving Berlin standards and didn't see beatles or Marvin Gaye hits as vehicles for jazz improvisation. But there were some jazz artists who didn't feel that way; Grant Green, Herbie Mann, and Charles Earland -- just to give three examples -- saw no reason why rock and soul tunes couldn't receive instrumental jazz makeovers. And on 1969, Gabor Szab puts a jazz spin on popular songs of the 1960s, including "Walk Away Renee" (a major hit for the Left Banke), the Beatles' "In My Life," and Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now." Again, there were many jazz artists who wouldn't have touched these songs in 1969 -- they would have insisted on providing yet another version of "Our Love Is Here to Stay" or "My Funny Valentine." But Szabo acknowledges that worthwhile popular music didn't die with George Gershwin . The Hungarian guitarist doesn't always stretch out as much as he could on this album; at times, he ends a solo that probably should have lasted a few more minutes. But Szabo still deserves credit for bringing a jazz perspective to songs that so many other improvisers were ignoring. Produced by Gary McFarland, this 1969 date originally came out on vinyl and has been finally reissued on CD."
Alex Henderson -All Music Guide
