Nightconcert

There are certain musical artists who have transcended genre limitations, crossing over into other areas of audience appeal. But in very rare cases there are artists who cross over in an entirely different way, becoming iconic and beloved figures to the broader spectrum of humanity by their very existence and essence of their being as universal messengers of love and spirit. Legendary pianist and composer Erroll Garner stands tall among those individuals. A new addition to his brilliant manifestation of artistry and jubilant expressiveness is always a treat, but when it is at such a majestic peak as in Octave Music/Mack Avenue Records spectacular new release, Erroll Garner: Nightconcert, it is a revelation. Nightconcert presents Garner at the peak of his genius, recorded at a midnight concert in November 1964 at The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam with an audience of 2000 highly enthusiastic and enraptured people of all ages. The repertoire on this album is pure Garner, heavily drawn from the Great American Songbook with a nice infusion of originals. There are three Cole Porter classics: Easy to Love, Night and Day and What Is This Thing Called Love; and two gems from Rodgers & Hart: My Funny Valentine and Where or When. The Gershwins are represented by S Wonderful; Irving Berlin by Cheek to Cheek; and Harold Arlen by Over the Rainbow. A couple of lesser luminaries are included with Einar Aaron Swan s When Your Lover Has Gone and Clay Boland s Gypsy in My Soul. Two great 1940s songs, immortalized by both being the title songs of terrific films and interpreted by scores of heavyweight artists are Bronislaw Kaper s On Green Dolphin Street and David Raksin s Laura which can now add two more remarkable versions to their storied history. Also notable is that this album features eight never-before-heard Garner song interpretations, including a newly discovered original.