[Pre-Order] Various – Legends of Jazz Guitar: Volume One

“Will there be room for critical cartwheels once the contents of these tapes are listed? Captured live, these top-form dates from 1965 to 1975 feature stunning performances by Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Grant Green, Kenny Burrell, Charlie Byrd and others. In their different pairings, the interaction between these giants harkens back to great Japanese monster movies of the period: Tal Farlow flailing against pianist Tommy Flanagan’s fleet melodies, Pat Martino and drummer Joey Baron barreling across the changes, and the great Barney positively storming alongside Herb in a manner that surely imperiled onlookers ten rows back. And as we speak of monsters, we must point to the titanic presence of Wes Montgomery who pushes his improvisation to its absolute limit while wearing an expression that never breaks from an easy daydream, as if he’s just waiting for the film to roll. Thank heavens it did.”

Guitar Player

Titles include: Wes Montgomery Twisted Blues, Jingles and Yesterdays(1965) Joe Pass Original Blues In G (1974), Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me (1976) Barney Kessel Basie’s Blues, The Shadow Of Your Smile (1973) Herb Ellis Medley: It Might As Well Be Spring and Things Ain’t What They Used To Be , Sweet Georgia Brown (1986) Herb Ellis & Barney Kessel A Slow Burn (1979).

Bonus Tracks: Wes Montgomery in Belgium, 1965: Impressions, Twisted Blues, Here’s That Rainy Day, Jingles & The Boy Next Doo