Getz solos are very mature and developed, and Barron plays absolutely incredible. His deft soloning is inspiring. wow.
The sparse instrumentation of sax and piano gives this an airy sound. I love how Barron and Getz weave in and out of each others spaces wonderfully. Even though there's no drums or bass present, they keep great time on their own. I hardly even notice the abscence of the usual bass/drums. (I'll bet a lot of drummers and bassists have practiced along with this one, supplying their own accompaniment.)
The songs are mostly standards, which Getz always seems to personalize so nicely. And the audience is so quiet - they were witnessing landmark performances that were thankfully preserved for all of us on this recording.
Shawn
Rating: - Brilliant Farewell
This exquisite 2 CD set by the great saxophonist is essential music for lovers of jazz or for that matter any fine music.
This set of duets with Kenny Barron finds Stan Getz in excellent form eventhough he was struggling with health issues and would die shortly afterwoods. His creativity and tone is as beautiful as ever. I will not on this occassion even endeavor to nominate my favourite songs as all 14 performances over 2 hours are great. A special mention must also go to Kenny Barron who supports Getz loyally and sympathetically right through the set. His piano fits like a glove to the sax of Getz. Very moving.
If you are fortunate enough to find this record,
buy it and witness a brilliant recording farewell by one of the greatest tenors in jazz of all time.
Rating: - Tops!!!
No need to say any words! If there is a jazz record which could serve as a last acquisition for a jazz record collection, this is it.
Rating: - People Time is on of the greatest Jazz albums every created
Stan Getz and Kenny Barron both play their hearts out on People Time. Although Barron's playing can be a little hectic at times (I know much about jazz pianists. I am 17 and I go to NOCCA (New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts. Where I study Jazz). After listening to the CD more and more I realized that Barron's playing is a perfect compliment to Getz's heart-felt, and extremely lyrical playing. Every note that Getz blows from his horn sounds like it is his last. (and this was his last recording. He died 3 months later of lung cancer). My favorite tracks are Stablemates, East of the Sun,..well hell every track is my favorite! The whole CD is up there with Kind of Blue and a Love Supreme as one of the greates Jazz Albums ever to be created. While there aren't a large number of musicians (only Getz and Barron) It sounds rich and full and if added any other instruments it wouldn't be as good. GO BUY THIS CD RIGHT NOW! IT'S INCREDIBLE! YOU CAN THANK ME LATER!
Rating: - Getz's parting gift to us all
"People Time" stands on its own merits as one the great jazz duet albums in the last 30 years. It is made all the more poignant by the fact that Stan Getz was exactly 3 months from the grave when he gave posterity one last reminder of how magnificent he truly was.
This recording shows that despite Getz's physical decline, he had lost none of the lyricism that made him so great. This album is a great combination of the lyric and the up-tempo, and flows effortlessly from tune to tune. Before you can realize it, two hours have blissfully slipped by. There aren't many 2-hour albums that can make you forget the time like that.
While Getz may tower over everything else in this album, by no means can one say that his frequent collaborator Kenny Barron is overshadowed. Not that he needs it, but this is further evidence that Kenny Barron is one of the great lyrical pianists active in jazz today. If I remember correctly, this album earned him the first of several well-deserved Grammy nominations. His wonderful combination of lyricism and rhythmic skill allow him to add depth to Getz's melodies, where a less talented pianist might have come up short.
One would assume that pairing two magnificent musicians would pretty much guarantee a fabulous performance, but it isn't necessarily the case. For example, Getz and Bill Evans might have been expected to produce an album for the ages, but the result was merely a decent, somewhat unfocused album that lacked musical spark. Greatness isn't guaranteed --- we should be grateful when an album for the ages, like this one, comes our way.
- bittersweet, but wonderful