Peter Getz- BossaMySoul (in English) Words & Music: Peter Getz and others Produced by: PeterGetz, Wojtek Goral Satellite Records
Cool, smooth, classic Bossa-Nova with a new twist…
Ok, on this CD I have to admit that I’m somewhat biased; I wrote the lyrics to all the original songs so you’ll have to make your own judgments there. But in my “subjective opinion” this is an album worth checking out.
If you think the name, Getz, looks familiar in music circles, you’re right. Peter is the son of famed jazz saxophonist, Stan Getz. With BossaMySoul he has taken up his father’s legacy that was created with the famed album sessions he was featured on with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto that created classics like “The Girl from Ipanema” and “One-note samba”.
Peter is an excellent vocalist with a smooth voice with just enough “grit” in it to keep things interesting. Vocally, Peter is a minimalist; he puts all his efforts into getting the melody and the meaning behind the lyrics across. This album is jazz but with a true “pop” sensibility; the melodies always take precedence over the improvisation. The album features a mix of original songs and covers. I have to admit that I prefer Peter’s version of the two Sting songs (Fragile, It’s probably me) over the originals; one reason for this is that on this album you can actually hear the words and the brilliance of Sting’s lyrics. It would have been easy to just do a straight copy of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing” and no one would have complained. But here Getz and his producers have created something entirely their own without losing the joy inherent in the song.
With the originals, Peter and Wojtek Goral (the fantastic saxophonist featured on the album, as well as co-writer and co-producer) have kept the “cool” of Bossa-Nova and infused it with something new. The sections where Peter scat sings along with the saxophone (Life is funny, love sublime, Remembrances) are incredible. The songs are a celebration of love and life.
I have to give a major nod to the production and the musicians. The album is delicious; impeccably played and produced. Special praise goes to the string arrangements by Viktor Åslund and Wojtek Goral, and the vocal arrangements by Ingela Olson and Getz.
I just have to mention one other cover (my favorite cover song on the album), “Just in Time”. It’s done as a smooth-groove Bossa Nova and works brilliantly. Here, as well as on Autumn Leaves, Peter Getz can be compared to the best of American “saloon singers” such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. The harmonica solo by Mats Ronander at the end is magical. And when Peter says, “you know what baby; you saved me, just in time” as the song ends, I swear it’s like Frank is here again, walking off stage with his coat draped over one shoulder.
Outstanding songs: Azure Blue, Life is funny, love sublime, Dancing with the moon, Remembrances, Just in time
