GABOR SZABO 1969

GABOR SZABO 1969
Gabor Szabo
United Recording Studio; Los Angeles: January 20-24, 1969
Mike Melvoin (org); Gabor Szabo, Francois Vaz (g); Louis Kabok (b); Randy Cierly (el-b); Jim Keltner (d,perc).
prob. overdubbed later in New York City
George Ricci (cello); prob. Gary McFarland (arr).

a. Dear Prudence (Lennon/McCartney) - 2:37
b. Sealed With a Kiss (Udell/Gela) - 2:41
c. Both Sides Now (Joni Mitchell) - 2:54
d. Walk Away Renee (Brown/Calilli/Sansone) - 2:42
e. You Won't See Me (Lennon/McCartney) - 3:31
f. Michael from Mountains (Joni Mitchell) - 3:56
g. Stormy (Buie/Cobb) - 3:12
h. In My Life (Lennon/McCartney) - 2:25
i. I've Just Seen a Face
(Lennon/McCartney) - 4:30
j. Until It's Time for You to Go
(Buffie St. Marie) -2:18
k. Somewhere I Belong (Gabor Szabo) - 3:33

Issues: a-k on Skye LP-9, Gryphon G-926, DCC DJZ-637 [CD], Skye (Sp) SK 1005 [CD], Air Mail Recordings (Jap) AIRAC-1066 [CD].
Singles: g (2:43 edit) & a also on Skye 4515 [45]. c & b also on Skye 4517 [45].
Samplers: a also on Muzak (Jap) MZCS-1052 [CD] titled SKYE & GRYPHON FOR CAFÉ APRÉS-MIDI. a, d & g also on Buddah BDS-20-SK titled BLOWIN' SOME OLD SMOKE (1970). a-k on El (E) ACMEM37CD [CD] titled BACCHANAL & 1969. c also on Muzak (Jap) MZCS-1053 [CD] titled SKYE & GRYPHON FOR APRÉS-MIDI GRAND CRU.
Producer: Gary McFarland. Executive Producer: Norman Schwartz
Engineer: Andy Richardson
Notes: Peter Smith. Quote: Leonard Feather.

Here, the guitarist performs beautifully on a Wes Montgomery-like program of melodic hits of the day, featuring such highlights as "Both Sides Now," "Michael From Mountains," "In My Life" and one that became part of the guitarist's repertoire, "Stormy." Also included here is Szabo’s interesting and moody composition "Somewhere I Belong" that deserves to go on much longer than its three minutes and thirty three seconds.

Remarkably, the marketing copy promoting the 2008 Spanish CD release of the album says it best: "(T)here 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."

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