Gabor Szabo

Featuring: Gabor Szabo (g) with François Vaz (g), Louis Kabok (b), Randy Cierly (Fender bass), Mike Melvoin (organ), Jim Keltner (percussion), George Ricci (cello).

Labeled as "the Nureyev of the guitar" by jazz critic Leonard Feather, Gabor Szabo was at his creative peak when this record appeared. On 1969, Gazor Szabo puts a jazz spin on popular songs of the 1960s, including "Walk Away Renee" (a major hit for the Four Tops), the Beatles' "In My Life," and Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now".

Again, there were many jazz artists who wouldn't have touched these songs in 1969 — they would have insisted on providing yet another version of "Our Love Is Here to Stay" or "My Funny Valentine".But Szabo acknowledges that worthwhile popular music didn't die with George Gershwin. The Hungarian guitarist doesn't always stretch out as much as he could on this album. But Szabo still deserves credit for bringing a jazz perspective to songs that so many other improvisers were ignoring.

Produced by Gary McFarland, this 1969 date originally came out on vinyl and it’s finally reissued on CD in its entirety.

Recorded Los Angeles, 1969.

Trackinglist:

1 Dear Prudence
2 Sealed With A Kiss
3 Both Sides Now
4 Walk Away Renee
5 You Won’t See Me
6 Michael From Mountains
7 Stormy
8 In My Life
9 I’ve Just Seen A Face
10 Until It’s Time For You To Go
11 Somewhere I Belong