With these sides, Herb Geller and his All-Stars set down one of the best jazz versions of Jule Stynes score from the Broadway musical Gypsy.
Gellers brilliant improvisational ability is put to the test in some of the numbers, there are also outstanding contributions from Thad Jones and a young Scott LaFaro on bass, while in four of the tunes Barbara Longs beautiful voice and deep feeling for jazz give Sondheims lyrics the attention they deserve. And Herb Gellers arrangements carry off the difficult feat of not only reflecting the emotional essence of the original show, but also creating the climate where good jazz can flourish.
Tracklist
Total time: 35:29 min.
01. Everything's Coming Up Roses (Styne-Sondheim) 4:09
02. You'll Never Get Away from Me (Styne-Sondheim) 5:15
03. Together (Styne-Sondheim) 4:37
04. Little Lamb (Styne-Sondheim) 3:58
05. Some People (Styne-Sondheim) 4:57
06. Mama's Talkin' Soft (Styne-Sondheim) 4:00
07. Cow Song (Styne-Sondheim) 3:36
08. Small World (Styne-Sondheim) 4:58
Album details
Originally issued in 12-inch LP as Atco SD-33-109
Personnel on #1,3,5,6,8:
Herb Geller (alto sax), Thad Jones (trumpet), Hank Jones (piano), Scott LaFaro (bass), Elvin Jones (drums).
Personnel on #7:
Same, except Billy Taylor (piano) replaces Hank Jones.
Personnel on #2 & 4:
Herb Geller (alto sax), Thad Jones (trumpet), Scott LaFaro (bass), Elvin Jones (drums).
Personnel on #1,3,6,8:
Barbara Long (vocals) added.
All tracks recorded in New York City, on June 9 & 10, 1959
Recording engineers: Tom Dowd & Phil Iehle
Original recordings supervised by Nesuhi Ertegun
Reissued for CD by Jordi Pujol
Blue Moon Producciones Discograficas S.L.
Press reviews
"Gypsy captures Herb Geller at his most daring and challenging -- recording with an exemplary supporting unit including trumpeter Thad Jones, pianist Hank Jones, bassist Scott LaFaro, and drummer Elvin Jones, the altoist transforms Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim's familiar Broadway themes into something altogether new and different. Even when applying the most forward-thinking modern jazz sensibilities, Geller maintains the spirit and integrity of indelible Sondheim melodies like "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Small World" -- in fact, his obvious respect for the source material is vital to the session's overall success. While Barbara Long contributes a handful of powerhouse vocal turns, it's the instrumentals that truly dazzle -- the Jones brothers boast the kind of telepathic interplay that comes solely from blood, and their performances push Geller to new heights."
Jason Ankeny -All Music Guide
