When the
Stan Getz/
Kenny Barron duo album People Time was first released in 1992, the year following the tenor saxophonist's death, critics and fans were astounded at
Getz's powerful playing (even though he was weak from the cancer that would take his life within a few months), buoyed by the brilliant piano playing of
Barron. Finally, the decision was made to release all seven sets by the duo recorded during their four-night gig at Cafe Montmartre in Copenhagen in this seven-CD box set, with the addition of new, detailed liner notes by Gary Giddins, while
Kenny Barron's notes from the original release are present as well. Aside from one splice to replace a passage where
Getz dropped out for a measure and a few moments when the physical strain on the leader is showing, the performances are among the best of the saxophonist's career. This expanded release is clearly not a vault-opening stunt to sell previously unissued music, but an opportunity to hear the high level at which
Getz and
Barron played throughout their duo engagement. The 48 tracks include two dozen different songs (some played multiple times), but each version of the repeated songs stands on its own. While the selections chosen by
Getz for the original two-disc edition of People Time are among the best performances, the new material is hardly second-rate. Among the highlights of the previously unissued songs are two stunning versions of
Thad Jones' "Yours and Mine" and a haunting shorter take of
Benny Golson's "I Remember Clifford," along with a playful "I Wish You Love." As an added bonus, the first set's evening opener, "Night and Day," is included at the end of disc seven, even though the microphone setup was still being adjusted during the opening minutes. Fans of
Stan Getz should consider this box set an essential purchase. ~ Ken Dryden