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While not a definitive list, here are some of my favorites (in alphabetical order). How about yours?

- [ ] Blue In Green
- [ ] Body & Soul
- [ ] Cry Me A River
- [ ] Embraceable You
- [ ] Estate (eh STA tay)
- [ ] Invitation
- [ ] Laura
- [ ] Lush Life
- [ ] Naima
- [ ] Never Let Me Go
- [ ] Prelude to a Kiss
- [ ] Skylark (you must hear Lori Carsillo’s version; gorgeous guitar work too)
- [ ] Sophisticated Lady
- [ ] Stardust
- [ ] The Peacocks

Body and Soul.

Polkadots & Moonbeams

The Peacocks, for sure (especially Bill Evans’ version on You Must Believe in Spring)

and

Bloodcount (especially Stan Getz’s version on Pure Getz – in my opion, possibly the most concise, heart-breakingly beautiful tenor performance I’ve ever heard. Bar none.)

Getz on “Blood Count” was sublime. I probably heard him play this live on more than a dozen separate occasions, and I even played it with him on piano at one concert. It never failed to leave the audience mesmerized.

Whenever possible, Getz tried to play this piece without amplification. Even in relatively large venues, he would ask the sound person to turn off the mikes, and this added to the overall impact. Today, when so many bands think louder is better, Getz could teach a few lessons.

The Getz version of “Blood Count” is indeed superb. In fact, the whole Pure Getz album is a treat. It had been a while since I heard it so it’s “spinning” as I write this. Pianist Jim McNeely, bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Victor Lewis do a fantastic job.

Next stop: revisiting Evans’ version of “The Peacocks.”

I think the 2nd Miles quintet playing “Stella by Starlight” has to be my favorite thing of all time. I like when Bill Evans plays “Detour Ahead” as well,

How about the Cole Porter standard “Love for Sale”. Cal Tjader does an interesting rendition of it on the “Concert on the Campus” LP. Tjader’s backed by Lonnie Hewitt-Piano, Eddie Coleman-Bass, Willie Bobo-Drums and Mongo Santamaria-congas.

Watch for the time signature changes on this stirring self propelled number…..

Moonglow. Is Moonglow a ballad?

Signed,
Not afraid to show my ignorance.

That Getz albut sound great—I gotta’ download that from somewhere.

Tough question. Maybe
Miles / Gil Evans version
of J.J. Johnson’s LAMENT
from “Miles Ahead.” Well,
that would atleast be a
good place to start :)

If we are talking about great ballads, and the Miles Ahead recording . . . then someone ought to mention Davis’s moving performance of “My Ship.” One of his finest moments.

So true, Ted ! That whole
record is a favorite here !

PS: To DMBLUV: I think
Moonglow works well as
a ballad or as a swing tune.