Stan GETZ – Melody Express 1948-52

Although much admired for his ability to transcend musical boundaries and for his uncanny knack of finding and developing promising talent, the great tenor saxophonist Stan Getz (1927-91) is best remembered as undeniably the finest ballad player in all of jazz. Getz made no secret of his adherence to his idol Lester Young's dictum of "telling a story" whenever he played and there can be little doubt that his most cogent and captivating tales were told during his explorations of melodic compositions. Indeed, Getz's initial reputation was built upon his acheingly beautiful contribution to arranger Ralph Burns "Early Autumn" made whilst he was with Woody Herman's Herd in 1948, so, almost uniquely amongst young jazz icons ( only Chet Baker -Getz personal nemesis- rivals him in this) he was first hailed for his ballad skills rather than for the three-alarm precocity one usually associates with youthful virtuosos.

Produced by Simon Spillett

Track Listing

1. PARDON MY BOP
2. INTERLUDE IN BEBOP
3. AS I LIVE AND BOP
4. MELODY EXPRESS
5. YVETTE
6. POTTER'S LUCK
7. THE SONG IS YOU
8. WILDWOOD
9. STELLA BY STARLIGHT
10. TIME ON MY HANDS
11. TIS AUTUMN
12. THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT
13. LOVER COME BACK TO ME
14. BODY AND SOUL
15. STARS FELL ON ALABAMA
16. YOU TURNED THE TABLES ON ME
17. LULLABY OF BIRDLAND
18. AUTUMN LEAVES
19. AUTUMN LEAVES (Alternate Take)
20. FOOLS RUSH IN
21. FOOLS RUSH IN (Alternate Take)
22. THESE FOOLISH THINGS
23. THANKS FOR THE MEMORY
24. HYMN OF THE ORIENT
25. THESE FOOLISH THINGS
26. HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN?