Complete Studio Master Takes (2-CD) Digipack

Stan Getz and pianist Lou Levy met as members of Woody Hermans Second Herd in 1948, displaying an extraordinary chemistry when playing together, something evident on these recordings, made at the peak of Stans career and of the Cool Jazz movement. This music was highly awarded in its time by Down Beat magazine.

This outstanding 2CD digipak edition contains all of the studio master takes they cut together between 1955 and 1957. Three sessions also featuring bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and either Stan Levey or Shelly Manne, on drums. One of the best quartets in the history of Jazz.

There are also four rare bonus tracks recorded in Hollywood featuring Getz with Jimmy Rowles. Splendid sound quality in new and careful 20-bit remastering.


Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. Of Thee I Sing 4:09
02. A Handful Of Stars 3:19
03. Love Is Here To Stay 3:24
04. Serenade In Blue 3:50
05. Blues For Mary Jane 7:53
06. There Will Never Be Another You 9:20
07. You're Blasé 4:13
08. Too Close For Comfort 6:19
09. Like Someone In Love 6:30
10. How About You? 7:08
11. Where Or When 7:08

CD 2
01. Woody'n You 7:08
02. Smiles 4:48
03. Three Little Words 6:59
04. Time After Time 6:45
05. This Can't Be Love 9:19
06. All God's Chillun Got Rhythm 7:42
07. But Beautiful 5:21
08. Nobody Else But Me 3:36 *
09. Down By The Sycamore Tree 3:04 *
10. I Hadn't Anyone 'Till You 2:54 *
11. With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair 3:46 *

Total Time: 124:47 min.

This edition includes material taken from the original albums:
- "Stan Getz And The Cool Sounds" (Verve MGV 8200)
- "The Steamer" (Verve MGV 8294)
- "Award Winner" (Verve MGV 8296)
- "Stan Getz Quintet" (Verve MGV 8356) Not released
- "Various Artists - Tenor Saxes" (Norgran MGN 1034)

Personnel on CD-1

Tracks #1-4: Stan Getz (ts), Lou Levy (p), Leroy Vinnegar (b), Shelly Manne (d).
Recorded in Hollywood, on August 19, 1955

Tracks #5-10: Stan Getz (ts), Lou Levy (p), Leroy Vinnegar (b), Stan Levey (d).
Recorded in Hollywood, on November 24, 1956

Track #11 and CD-2 #1-7: Same as previous session.
Recorded in Hollywood, on August 2, 1957

Personnel on CD-2

Tracks #8-11: Stan Getz (ts), Jimmy Rowles (p), Bob Whitlock (b), Max Roach (d).
Recorded in Hollywood, on January 23, 1954.
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Notes:

"It doesn't happen too often, but there are times when the title of a jazz album and the material within interface perfectly. Hence The Steamer, where Stan Getz joined forces with a super West Coast-based rhythm section to produce some truly steaming music. "Blues for Mary Jane" is remarkable; for all of the straight-ahead heat generated by the rhythm section, Getz is incredibly relaxed, poised, and always under control while still managing to swing like mad. In other words, the style that he was able to carry over to his bossa nova adventures in the following decade is right here, ready to go. There is also room for the Getz-ballad manner on "You're Blase," and "Like Someone in Love" combines a leisurely swinging tempo with Getz's natural warmth. From the evidence of these sessions alone, not to mention countless others, the team of bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Shelly Manne ought to be anointed as one of the greatest rhythm sections in jazz history, and sure-fingered pianist Lou Levy benefits from their finesse and drive."

Richard S. Ginell on "The Steamer" -All Music Guide
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"Award Winner reunites Stan Getz with his mid-'50s right-hand men pianist Lou Levy and bassist Leroy Vinnegar, plus drummer Stan Levey, who sat in with the trio on 1956's The Steamer album. Not surprisingly, it's quite similar to that effort, as the quartet keeps thing alternately cool, swinging ballads, and simmering, low-key grooves. It's the sound that made Getz' reputation and brought him popularity, a fact alluded to in the set's title. In retrospect, that can make Award Winner seem like standard-issue Getz, since it is straight-up Stan, with no surprises. Still, that's a very good thing, since few other tenor saxophonists had such a deft touch with laid-back, sensual cool jazz. Each cut on the album feels sensual, even when the tempo is fleet on the side-closers "Smiles" and "This Can't Be Love." Everyone involved sounds as if they're enjoying themselves, and that results in a solid record that may have a few outstanding moments here and there -a nice turn of phrase by Getz, a good solo from Levy, supple support from Vinnegar and Levey- but is more distinguished by its overall strength and consistency of mood. Not necessarily a knockout, then, but certainly a record any true Getz fan would want in their collection."

Stephen Thomas Erlewine on "Award Winner" -All Music Guide
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