POETRY

[DrJ]

I just wanted to put in an enthusiastic plug for this CD, which is on the going out of print list per Mosaic/True Blue's last mailing.

Just Getz and the undersung pianist Albert Dailey, unadorned and beautifully recorded - with lots of ambient room sound in the mix for atmosphere, so you feel like you're sitting right there in front of them.

Impeccable choice of themes here, too:

1. Confirmation performed by Getz / Albert Dailey - 5:24

2. A Child Is Born performed by Getz / Albert Dailey - 5:19

3. Tune Up performed by Getz / Albert Dailey - 5:41

4. Lover Man performed by Getz / Albert Dailey - 6:54

5. A Night in Tunisia performed by Getz / Albert Dailey - 5:26

6. Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most performed by Getz / Albert Dailey - 6:30

7. 'Round Midnight performed by Getz / Albert Dailey - 7:32

While many have been played to death, they HAVEN'T been played often in this duet configuration, and they sound fresh and new without exception. I must have played "Confirmation" 30 times over the past 3 days, something I very seldom do, but I'd be ecstatic if they uncovered a 20 minute version someday - it's that good.

Despite the overall relaxed atmosphere, Getz digs in surprisingly hard at times, particularly on the bop themes such as "Confirmation." Dailey raises eyebrows on a number of occasions - check out his change of time signatures during the solo on "Tune Up."

Anyway, at 9 bucks, this is a heck of a bargain. Don't miss it.

[marcoliv]

i remember when i was asking about this one and was encouraged to get it. a must have indeed!

Marcus

[king ubu]

An awesome album! And it's going OOP right now, so better get it yesterday than today!

ubu

[skeith]

I'm with you on this one Dr. J. It's one of my favorite Getz cds and I also think it is close to the top of my all time duet jazz cds. I just love this one and I am surprised it's going out of print.

[DrJ]

It's rapidly moving up my list of favorite duet recordings, and of favorite recordings period. Perhaps this one has hit me so hard precisely because I didn't come in with any specific expectations - if anything, I honestly figured it was more one to fill in a gap in my Getz collection, but turns out it's ESSENTIAL. I listened to it in the car on the way to work, taking someone to the airport, coming back, and then coming home again and I'm still not sick of it. This never happens that I play a disc over and over. Great stuff.

[DrJ]

Just keeps growing in my estimation, I just ordered two copies, one each for my dad and father in law, both of whom are going to flip over it.

No, it's not fire and brimstone or earthshakingly new what they're doing, but for a thoroughly modern and utterly intelligent take on bop, you simply can't beat it. The recording is also just amazing. I finally got a chance to listen on my home set-up and have to say that I've never heard a standard jazz CD (as opposed to SACD) that allows you to feel as much a part of what was going down in the room...this recording engineer KNEW what he was doing, let me tell you.

Dailey is a revelation. Hearing this has prompted me to try and track down as much of his playing as possible...all I have except this for now is a very obscure Muse LP he did under guitarist Bruce Forman's leadership in the 80's called 20/20 (a nice date BTW - Forman, Daley, Tom Harrell in his early Bay Area days, Billy Hart, and bassist Mike Richmond - well worth tracking down). Dailey is on fire on that one, which is pretty driving stuff. On POETRY, he's more relaxed and expansive but certainly on the bop tunes he generates more than enough drive.

Even if you're hot and cold or fully cold on Getz from other recordings, some of which were admittedly merely professional rather than passionate, please do yourself a favor and give this one a fair hearing, it just may change your opinions about him. Easily up with his best work.

Edited March 25, 2004 by DrJ

[tonym]

I have wanted this one for a while now, and this thread has spurred me on to getting hold of it. Thanks.

I ordered it from UK supermarket giant Tesco who have recently had a VAT free week of offers. £7.71 incl. postage. Not bad.

Cheers, tonym

[skeith]

Dr. J,

I assume you have the Getz cd entitled "The Master" where Getz and Dailey team up again, but this time it's with other musicians too, don't remember whether it's a quartet or quintet date. I like this one too. Different feel than Poetry, but very good.

Edited March 25, 2004 by skeith

[DrJ]

No, skeith, don't have that one but will make it a high priority. Thanks for the heads up.

[mgraham333]

I heard a track from this one right around the time Blue Note radio came back online. I was so impressed I ran out and bought it the next day.