Personnel:
Gabor Szabo, Jim Stewart (g), Louis Kabok (b), Jim Keltner (d), Hal Gordon (perc), Tony Miranda, Ray Alonge, Brooks Tillotson (Frh), Gary McFarland (p, arr), Julius Schacter (vln), George Ricci (cello)
Reference: SK 1001 CD
Bar code: 8427328447010
After leaving Impulse at the end of the Sixties (for which he recorded such legendary albums as Jazz Raga, Gypsy 66, Spellbinder, The Sorcerer and Simpatico with Gary McFarland) came Dreams. From the opening chords of Galatea's Guitar, it is clear this in no ordinary jazz album. Through the seven pieces here, the guitar is naturally at the forefront, yet the backing group is anything but secondary.
For this album, his quintet (featuring guitar ace Jimmy Stewart) is augmented by Gary McFarlands fine string arrangements. The set features a nice selection of originals and pop covers. The warm tones and Eastern influences of Dreams makes this one of Gabor Szabos best albums.
Originally recorded in August 1968, this CD version has the same tracks in the same order as the original release (out of print since the early 1980s) and with a tasteful digipack sleeve and original artwork.
Review:
"Here, Gabor Szabo ambitiously pairs his outstanding quintet (featuring Jimmy Stewart) with Gary McFarland's subtle string and horn arrangements in a collection of originals, pop covers, and classical reinterpretations. The result is a sort of accessible third-stream music. Szabo has many fine moments, and provides nice spaces for the beautiful guitar solos of Jimmy Stewart."
Douglas Payne -All Music Guide
