Herb Geller

Featuring: Herb Geller (as), Thad Jones (tp), Hank Jones, Billy Taylor (p), Scott LaFaro (b), Elvin Jones (d), Barbara Long (vcl)

With these sides, Herb Geller and his All-Stars set down one of the best jazz versions of Jule Styne’s score from the Broadway musical “Gypsy.”

Geller’s brilliant improvisational ability is put to the test in some of the numbers, there are also outstanding contributions from Thad Jones and a young Scott LaFaro on bass, while in four of the tunes Barbara Long’s beautiful voice and deep feeling for jazz give Sondheim’s lyrics the attention they deserve. And Herb Geller’s arrangements carry off the difficult feat of not only reflecting the emotional essence of the original show, but also creating the climate where good jazz can flourish.

Tracklisting:

01. Everything’s Coming Up Roses (4:09)
02. You’ll Never Get Away from Me (5:15)
03. Together (4:37)
04. Little Lamb (3:58)
05. Some People (4:57)
06. Mama’s Talkin’ Soft (4:00)
07. Cow Song (3:36)
08. Small World (4:58)

Total time: 35:00 min.

Originally issued on Atco SD-33-109.


Personnel

Tracks #1,3,5,6,8: Herb Geller (as), Thad Jones (tp), Hank Jones (p), Scott LaFaro (b), Elvin Jones (d).

Track #7: Same, except Billy Taylor (p) replaces Hank Jones.

Tracks #2,4: Herb Geller (as), Thad Jones (tp), Scott LaFaro (b), Elvin Jones (d).

Tracks #1,3,6,8: Barbara Long (vcl) added.

All tracks recorded in New York City, on June 9 & 10, 1959.


Original recordings supervised by Nesuhi Ertegun. Recording engineers: Tom Dowd & Phil Iehle.