Art Farmer's Austrian Sessions in 1972
Recorded in Austria in 1972, Gentle Eyes shows Art Farmer working with a large European string-and-rhythm ensemble far from the New York bop scene.
Gentle Eyes was recorded in Austria in 1972, a long way from the New York studios where Art Farmer had built his reputation. The Wikipedia record confirms the location and year, and lists a session that is unusually large for a jazz date: a rhythm section led by Fritz Pauer on piano, Rudolf Hansen and Jimmy Woode on bass, a pair of guitarists, reeds and flute, and an extensive section of violins and cellos. Farmer's flugelhorn sits at the center of all that, which tells you the record was built around his sound rather than around a conventional trio or quintet.
What that setup produces is a softer, more arranged kind of jazz than Farmer's Blue Note or Prestige work. The strings give the music a cushion, and the flugelhorn's rounder tone fits that cushion well. I would not expect the fire of a hard-bop session here. The appeal is in the textures and the way Farmer lets his lines float over them. If you come in expecting a driving blowing date, you will be disappointed, but if you want to hear a jazz player at ease inside an orchestral frame, it works.
As for where it sits in his catalog, Gentle Eyes is a side step rather than a peak. It is for listeners who already know Farmer's small-group records and want to hear him stretch into a different context. Start with Art Farmer Quintet's earlier work if you are new to him, and come to this one afterward.
Who's playing
Rudolf Hansenbass
Hans Salomonalto saxophone, bass clarinet
Jimmy Woodebass
Fritz Pauerpiano
Richard Oesterreicherguitar
Julius Scheybalguitar
Leszek Zadlosaxophone
Robert Demmertrumpet
Robert Politzertrumpet
Garney Hickstrombone
Hans Löwflute
Jula Kochpercussion
Erich Bachträglmembranophone
Wladi Cermacviolin
Art Farmerflugelhorn
Paul Ficklviolin
Johann Fuchsviolin
Heinz Fussgängercello
Herbert Heideviolin
Erich Koritschonerviolin
Bruno Mayrviolin
Kurt Plaschkaviolin
Wolfgang Reichertviolin
Bruno Schimanncello
Dagmar Söthjecello
Walter Topfviolin
Gerhard Zatschekcello
