Ready Take One

Erroll Garner

Legacy Recordings/Octave Music, 2016

Last years posthumous and expanded re-release of Errol Garner’s Complete Concert by the Sea, did the

neat trick of entering Billboard Jazz Albums chart at No. 1.

This renewed interest in Garner has led to a reexamination of his archives. Ready Take One, is an amazing choice to start with. These songs were tracked live in the studio with a four piece band. Ernest McCarty Jr. on bass, Jimmie Smith on drums and José Mangual on congas, sound relaxed and attuned to the bandleader, not merely keeping time, but reacting to Garner’s soloing. The songs sound as though they could have come from the same session, but are compiled from various recordings between 1967 and 1971.

There’s a lightheartedness that comes across in the recording, both in the playing and in the banter between sound engineer and artist. The band seems to be enjoying themselves and the performances reflect this. Light and flighty from start to finish, These melodies dance effortlessly from Garner’s fingers with a droll assuredness.

Of the fourteen numbers, six new songs are introduced. “High Wire,” “Latin Digs,” and “Wild Music,” shine brightest. “High Wire” opens the disc. The song pops, slithers and spins; the rhythm section owning this tune while Garner dresses it up with glittering melodies.

The Ellington-Tizol penned tune “Caravan,” rolls out with a new arrangement. Garner toys around with a moody opening, before diving into the song with zeal. “Stella by Starlight” plays it coy and simmers to life slowly. The disc closes out with the now standard “Misty.” Garner strides and muses with the melody like it’s his, because it is.

Many a popular artist has had their unreleased material plumbed for any coin it might offer with often horrific results. If this disc is indicative of what is to come from the Garner estate, then fans should eagerly look forward to future releases.