AMG Review of Music for Lovers

Thom Jurek
All Music Guide

The 14 cuts on Stan Getz's Music for Lovers -- as part of Blue Note's eight-part series -- were all recorded between 1950 and '53. With the exception of "Early Autumn," on which Getz is a member of Woody Herman & His Orchestra, and "Easy Living," as a member of Count Basie's band, these were all small group sessions, quartets. and quintets. There are a number of classics here, such as "Moonlight in Vermont," with the saxophonists' memorable solo and Johnny Smith's empathic guitar playing. Ditto that with Jimmy Raney playing on "These Foolish Things" (which also featured Duke Jordan on piano) and "Tenderly." Another high moment is "Imagination," where Getz interacts with pianist Horace Silver (who has his own volume in this series). This is a lush collection, full of nuanced, graceful ballads and elegant love songs. Everything here comes from the standards book, something Getz was, throughout his career, able to make his own. This is indeed music for lovers, over-the-top romantic, but never, syrupy or melodramatic. This is the first of two volumes that bear Getz's name, and both are worth owning.