The third volume in a series of unissued recordings that
Emarcy
began issuing in the late 1980s over a decade after
Erroll Garner
's death comes from a previously unknown 1954 record date. Like all of his trio dates, the rhythm section, including bassist
Wyatt Ruther
and drummer
Eugene Heard
, strictly provides a supporting role for the pianist. This date is a bit different than many of
Garner
's releases, as it includes a piano novelty (
Zez Confrey
's
"Kitten on the Keys"
), a brisk take of the normally placid
"Way Down Yonder in New Orleans"
and other pieces one wouldn't usually associate with him. More than a few of the old songs present on this session were recorded by the great
Art Tatum
, so it is possible that
was exposed to them through the virtuoso pianist's recordings, though
never deviates from his trademarked approach to the piano. Like other volumes in this series of collectable
CDs, this disc disappeared from print with a few years of its 1990 release, so it will be somewhat challenging to find. ~ Ken Dryden