Stan Getz - At The Shrine ★★★★

Rec. 8 and 9 November 1954

Today, Stan Getz may well be synonymous with his multitude of sublime bossa nova recordings, but this spirited live date reminds us that long before ‘Desafinado’ Getz was a premier Lestonian cool school bebopper with an instantly recognisable sound. This, his first official ‘live’ recording has always been regarded as one of his keynote albums. The story goes, the Shrine Auditorium performance produced slightly more material for a single album but not enough for a double. So, instead of trimming back the results, the following day, (with drummer Frank Isola depping for Art Mardigan), Getz and co went into the nearest studio where they taped a further seven tracks, two of which ‘We’ll Be Together Again’ and Count Basie’s ‘Feather Merchant’, were tacked on to the Shine recording to complete this thoroughly rewarding project.

For starters, Getz was in extremely good humour and this is not only reflected in his announcements but in the way he guides the quintet through familiar terrain that encompasses ‘Flamingo’, ‘Lover Man’, ‘I’ll Remember April’ plus Johnny Mandel’s ‘Pernod’, Al Cohn’s ‘Tasty Pudding’, Bob Brookmeyer’s memorable ‘Open Country’ and more. As a fairly long time front line partner, Brookmeyer’s distinctive playful rasp compliments Getz’s swinging smoothness at every turn, but more so on Duke’s ‘It Don’t Mean A Thing’. Like the very finest wine, this album continues to mature with age. So, savour and enjoy.

- Roy Carr