Erroll Garner was one of the most distinctive jazz piano stylists of the post-war era, his approach transcending the emerging sub-genres of modern jazz, although his music was rooted in swing and he was a noted performer of ballads, his performances characterised by elaborate and eccentric introductions, often described as being almost orchestral in style. He was especially effective working in a trio fromat, playing with a variety of combinations of bass players and drummers over the years, and this great-value 50-track 2-CD collection focuses on a series of six sessions he recorded during 1949 for the Savoy, Atlantic, Portrait and 3 Deuces labels, with two different trio line-ups. One comprised John Simmons on bass and Alvin Stoller on drums, and the other featured Leonard Gaskin on bass and Charlie Smith on drums. The repertoire primarily comprises familiar Great American Songbook classics much-loved by the jazz community, and it makes for a very satisfying body of work which captures the great virtuoso pianist in fine flowing form in a favoured metier in which at that time he clearly felt particularly comfortable. It's an entertaining showcase for his unique piano styling.

Tracklist:

I Surrender Dear
I Only Have Eyes For You
Stompin' At The Savoy
I Cover The Waterfront
Penthouse Serenade
Love Walked In
I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
Ghost Of A Chance
All Of Me 1
A Cottage For Sale 1
I'm In The Mood For Love 1
September Song 1
Body And Soul 1
It's Easy To Remember 1
All The Things You Are 1
Goodbye 1
Undecided 1
Red Sails In The Sunset 1
More Than You Know 2
Over The Rainbow 2
I'm Confessin' 2
Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All The Time) 2
The Man I Love 2
Until The Real Thing Comes Along 2
Moonglow 2
I Want A Little Girl 2
This Can't Be Love 2
She's Funny That Way 2
Flamingo 3
Twilight 3
Turquoise 3
The Way You Look Tonight 3
Reverie 3
Impressions [Clair De Lune Improvisation] 3
Skylark 3
I Can't Give You Anything But Love 3
Blue And Sentimental 3
Pavanne [The Lamp Is Low] 3
On The Sunny Side Of The Street 4
Stairway To The Stars 4
Rosalie 4
Everything Happens To Me 4
Through A Long And Sleepless Night 4
What Is This Thing Called Love' 4
Again 4
Goodbye 4
I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart 4
Jitterbug Waltz 4
Deep Purple 5
Scatterbrain

UPC: 824046333126
Label: Acrobat
Release Date: 5.8.20
Format: CD

Erroll Garner - Classic Trio Recordings 1949 (CD)