AMG Review of Yesterdays: Stan Getz Plays the Standards

John Bush
All Music Guide

With his magical tone, Stan Getz couldn't help but stamp every standard he played, no matter how familiar the melody. Living Era's collection Yesterdays: Stan Getz Plays the Standards compiles material virtually from the beginning of his career as a leader, all in a quartet or quintet setting that put the emphasis squarely on Getz. Dates for Prestige or Birdland from 1949-1950 begin the program, but it's with his first session for the Roost label from May 17, 1950, that bring to the light two masterpieces: Jerome Kern's "Yesterdays" and J. Fred Coots' "You Go to My Head." The 14 additional Roost sides are no less gorgeous, and are leavened by two titles for Norgran (an early Verve predecessor). It really made no difference whether Getz played the classics or contemporary material, but Yesterdays: Stan Getz Plays the Standards includes most of his best early material.