Nothing like a voice from the past to make you realize how far you’ve strayed. This collection of previously unreleased studio recordings from the legendary Erroll Garner during the years 1967-71 reveal to us not only the artistic style of a true musical giant, but it accuses the present generation of a soul-less technique that has replaced such artistic creativity.
Garner is in splendid company here. Usually in quartet format, he is found with Jimmie Smith-Joe Cucuzzo/dr, Earnest McCarty, Ike Isaacs-George Duvivier-Larry Gales/b and Jose’ Mangual.
The rhythm team sizzles on the Superfly intro to “High Wire” with Garner in wondrous form as he literally tickle the ivories. There is a buoyance to his touch on the dainty “I Want To Be Happy” and the team is bright on an effervescent “Sunny.” His patented rolling fingers are in abundance, rollicking on “Stella By Starlight” and he milks the mood like Pagliacci on “Misty.”
But all is not light and rosy. He gets dark and sophisticated on a foreboding “Caravan” that will give you goose bumps, and “Down Wylie Avenue” is a sinister shuffling blues.
But what separates generations of artists are the little things. Through every recording, you hear the underlying grunts of Garner as he viscerally attacks each theme. Like a contented hippo, he urges his fingers along, unlike the unemotional but over technical artists today. Garner represents a presentation of music that was from the heart, and it reaches the same in every person who listens. Where did we go wrong?
Sony Legacy