At one time, Erroll Garner was the most popular jazz musician and pianist in the country. His infectious style, mixing amazing chops with unbridled joy and lyricism, hit a nerve with the American public. The apotheosis of his career came in 1956 when the Concert By The Sea album came out which captured the leader with his team of Denzil Best/dr and Eddie Calhoun/b. Little did we know that there was a cache of unreleased material from the dates from Carmel, and this CD set includes not only the famed single album, but the entire pair of concerts including the announcements form the emcee and a post concert interview with the band.
Garner displayed a technique that is unfortunately lost on today’s musicians, having been taken to the grave with Gene Harris, Garner’s last disciple. His rococo approach to introductions is like a bel canto aria, and he milks every note on “Night and Day” and “Spring Is Here,” both previously unissued. The subtle swing of the band sashays with delight on “Mambo Carmel” and bops like it’s Central Avenue in LA during “Bernie’s Tune.” People forget that Garner recorded with Bird in the early days!
The sound from the original album always sounded a tad distant, and the engineers here have done a remarkable job at giving the music a better presence. Garner’s fingers roll with delight on “Teach Me Tonight” and jab like Sugar Ray on “It’s All Right With Me.” The solos cascade like Vernal Falls, trickling on “Where or When” or gushing during “I’ll Remember April.” This is a collection to enjoy and inspire. Maybe this approach can get a renaissance-it’s got my vote!