Jazz meets pop in this appealing 1970 Stan Getz vinyl reissue.
Stan Getz – Marrakesh Express – Verve Records/MGM SE 4696 (1970)/Universal Music Group B0037993 (2023) Verve By Request Series 180-gram stereo vinyl, 40:40 ****:
Stan Getz – tenor saxophone; Richard Hawson – orchestra arrangements, conductor)
As the 1960’s wound down, the influence of popular music (including rock, folk and film) was evident. Jazz giants like Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter were immersed in the fusion genre, and many others were adapting songs to jazz idioms. The practice of covering popular tunes by jazz greats was an ongoing tradition. Stan Getz, who had scored a Grammy-winning hit in 1963 with “The Girl From Ipanema” seemed ideally suited for an album of these covers. In 1970, Getz released Marrakesh Express on Verve/MGM Records. Produced by George Martin and recorded at Abbey Road Studios, the album featured orchestral arrangements by Richard Hewson. (Note: the list of individual musician credits is not available
As part of the Verve By Request Series, Universal Music Group has released a re-mastered180-gram vinyl of Marrakesh Express. Side One opens with the title track (which was the first single of the Crosby Stills And Nash debut).These concise arrangements (by jazz statements) are enveloped in strings and horns/reeds with percussion. After a string intro, a Latin-infused rhythm showcases Getz’ swinging tenor. He captures the breezy countenance of the Nash song. “Just A Child” begins with a moody cinematic run, that is followed by strings and Getz’s vibrato-laden tenor. As the jam progresses, the horn charts become muscular with a swing transition. Burt Bacharach’s (a favorite of jazz musicians and represented voluminously here) “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” keeps its benign mellow vibe and the orchestra blends in with the mellifluous saxophone. “Both Sides Now” eschews the Joni Mitchell melancholy for a more upbeat translation. There are reeds that harmonize with the sax and subtle high-end percussion. The cut finishes with a key change. Harry Nilsson’s “Without Her” experienced a very jazzy reinvention by Al Kooper on the first Blood Sweat And Tears album. Here an easygoing, restrained performance is more in line with Nilsson’s version and there is a memorable tenor solo. “Cecelia” captures the funky tempo of this Paul Simon quirky tune with orchestral counterpoints and a very lithe flute. A call and response between Getz and the orchestra is effective.
Side Two kicks off with the romantic “Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet” (Nino Rota). After an ethereal start, string accents and horns surround the tenor in detailing the familiar theme. A shift to 3/4 time breaks the number out of its deliberate pace. There is some tonal and key stretching, as the second part holds together. One of the highlights is the “Because”/“Do You Know the Way To San Jose”) medley. The strings and Getz highlight the gossamer Beatles melody that initiates the unforgettable Abbey Road Side 2 suite. They manage to recreate the vocals with saxophone and strings. The shift to another Bacharach tune is fluid. The playful resonance is underscored by Getz’s steady play. He adds punctuated sax riffs with lower-register articulation and some wailing. The next Bacharach song (“Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head”) is the sleeper on this album. Getz and the orchestra capture the loping style of the original, and include an improvisational bridge. And the syncopated flamenco coda remains intact. The finale (of course Bacharach) is a straight-forward romantic statement. It is whimsical and has subtle, delicate elocution.
Stan Getz – Marrakesh Express is an interesting project. A bona fide jazz artist attempting to crossover to mainstream pop audience is not an easy task. It works best when the orchestration doesn’t overwhelm the structure, and that is true most of the time. The overall sound mix (Ryan Smith/Sterling Sound) is vibrant with crisp detail and excellent stereo separation. (Note: A good pair of stereo headphones is highly recommended)
—Robbie Gerson
Stan Getz – Marrakesh Express
TrackList :
Side One: Marrakesh Express; Just A Child; I’ll Never Fall In Love Again; Both Sides Now; Without Her; Cecelia
Side Two: Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet; Medley: Because/Do You Know The Way To San Jose; Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head; The April Fools.
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