ERROLL GARNER – 1944, Vol. 2 | The Classics Chronological Series – 818 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second in the Classics label's Erroll Garner series has nine unusual piano solos recorded privately at Baron Timme Rosenkrantz's apartment (ranging from the 2-1/2 minute novelty "Twisting the Cat's Tail" to an extensive eight-minute exploration of "I Hear a Rhapsody"), along with the ten songs that comprised Garner's first officially recorded session. The latter were originally cut as piano solos for the Rex label (later put out by Atlantic), but had bass (John Simmons) and drums (Doc West) overdubbed, which explains why they are better recorded than the piano. Overall, this is an interesting but not overly essential release. Scott Yanow
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