Is Ready Take One a good place to start with Erroll Garner?

Yes, Ready Take One is recommended as a starting point for new Erroll Garner listeners. An intimate collection of jazz standards showcasing Garner's vibrant piano improvisation and evocative melodies. Released posthumously in 2016, Ready Take One compiles previously unreleased recordings from Erroll Garner’s performances in the 1970s. This album came out ten years after his induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame, reaffirming his enduring influence on jazz long after his passing in 1977.

Who is Ready Take One for?

Ready Take One works well if you're into playful piano improvisations throughout, inviting atmosphere for gatherings and nostalgic tunes with vibrant energy.

How many songs are on Ready Take One?

Ready Take One has 14 tracks, running approximately 66 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Ready Take One

Erroll Garner · 2016

66 min · 14 tracks · jazz

An intimate collection of jazz standards showcasing Garner's vibrant piano improvisation and evocative melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

→
High Wire Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Misty — This track exemplifies Garner's ability to blend romantic lyricism with complex improvisation, making it one of his signature pieces.
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Caravan — Garner's interpretation brings a dynamic energy to this classic, highlighting his innovative approach to rhythm and harmony.
→
I Want to Be Happy — The joyful exuberance in this rendition showcases Garner’s playful spirit and masterful touch, making it a highlight of the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

Garner's vibrant improvisation and the album's live feel highlight his unique jazz style.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of syncopated rhythms, with Garner's left hand providing a steady pulse while the right hand explores melodic variations.
Each track showcases extended improvisation, often exceeding five minutes, allowing for intricate development of themes.
The recording quality captures the nuances of live performance, with ambient sounds that enhance the intimate atmosphere.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

playful piano improvisations throughout
inviting atmosphere for gatherings
nostalgic tunes with vibrant energy
for late afternoon relaxation
varied tempos keep interest alive

Maybe skip if you

seekers of intense modern sounds
prefer fast-paced, high-energy tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Posthumous release showcasing Garner's enduring style and vitality from earlier performances.
Themes: 1970s jazz clubs· romantic lyricism· improvisational mastery
Career context: Released posthumously in 2016, Ready Take One compiles previously unreleased recordings from Erroll Garner’s performances in the 1970s. This album came out ten years after his induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame, reaffirming his enduring influence on jazz long after his passing in 1977.
Stylistic neighbors: Oscar Peterson· Bill Evans· Art Tatum

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Misty

The performance shifts from delicate phrasing to powerful crescendos encapsulates profound emotion.

This dynamic contrast not only showcases Garner's technical prowess but also reflects his deep emotional connection to the music.