Rarity - Sealed
Erroll Garner – piano
Bob Cranshaw – bass
Grady Tate – drums
José Mangual – congas
Norman Gold – organ
Jackie Williams – tambourine
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David (A1), Erroll Garner (A2, A4 to B1, B5), George & Ira Gershwin (A3), J. Demy (B2), M. Legrand (B2), N. Gimbel (B2), J. Kern (B3), O. Harbach (B3), A. Dubin (B4), H. Warren (B4)
1 LP, Standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Furnace Record Pressing (US)
Label : VMP - Vinyl Me Please, Classics series
Original Label : London Records
Recorded on October 30 & 31, 1973 at Capitol Studios, Los Angeles (CA)
Engineered by Bob Simpson at Plangent Processes
Original session produced by Garrison Leykam, Martha Glaser
Sound restoration by Jamie Howarth, Plangent Processes
Anolog Tape transfer by John K. Chester
Reissue produced by Peter Lockhart, Steve Rosenthal
Mastered by Jessica Thompson
Lacquer cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound
Cover Design by Richard Roth
Photography by Norman Seeff
Sleeve Notes by Dan Morgenstern
Originally released in 1974
Tracks :
Side A:
- (They Long To Be) Close To You
- It Gets Better Every Time
- Someone To Watch Over Me
- Nightwind
Side B:
- One Good Turn
- Watch What Happens
- Yesterdays
- I Only Have Eyes For You
- Mucho Gusto
Review :
“After his contract with Mercury was up, Garner brought his Octave label to London Records. While a lot of other players in his generation were moving to the Fender Rhodes and nudging toward commercial R&B or fusion, Garner continued to play acoustic piano in his singular and classic way. Magician is an album that deftly mixes originals with more standard fare. What makes this great is that Garner isn't swimming against the current of stodgy classics. To denote the changing times, some of the standards are from close to when the album was recorded. Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "(They Long to Be) Close to You" and "Watch What Happens" get an effortless and warm treatment. Garner's playing is lively throughout, and he's obviously in good spirits (as his trademark grunts are the best indication). He also does some great originals here, including the romantic "Nightwind" and the gospel and ragtime-influenced "One Good Turn." Magician's distinctive sound also comes from the rhythm section of bassist Bob Crenshaw and drummer Grady Tate. Those players as well as Norman Gold's organ make this sound like the great though not ornate '70s jazz album it is. Whether you find this on CD or vinyl, Magician is one of those efforts that has to be included in any eclectic collection.” AllMusic Review by Jason Elias
Ratings :