Ayn Rand Quote of the Week:
Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps, down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision.
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SNJ06-20-09: A Night of Guitars
Posted on June 20th, 2009 2 comments
I’ve always liked the guitar. Assuming you can play one decently, if you pick one up and start strumming, pretty soon you’ll draw a crowd. There is something magical about the instrument that stops people in their tracks and fills their spirit. Even when the tune is melancholy there is still an enchantment that comes with playing this powerful instrument. Tonight our focus is on guitarists who love jazz and there are plenty. From ballads to funk, the guitar has been around in the jazz world for decades. Its value to that world is inestimable. I hope you enjoy these artists and their music as much as I do.
Jim Hall
I Can’t Get Started from “Balled Essentials” Let’s start off with a nice, classic ballad.
Summertime Don’t know the album on this one, but it’s an interesting take on a beautiful classic song.
It’s Nice To Be With You from “A Night Out with Verve – Disc 2” Nice background dinner music.
Emily (also featuring George Shearing) from “Playboy Jazz After Dark, Vol. 2” With music like this ya gotta love Playboy. (Yeah, I know, you only read it for the articles.)
Wes Montgomery
Wes’ Tune from “The Best of Wes” Nice upbeat piece. Wes was truly a guitar genius.
Full House from “Full House” A little private eye type music. This one went into my P.I. collection.
Moca Flor from “Movin’ Wes” A bit of big band latin sound. Nice.
Come Rain or Come Shine from “Full House” A swingin’ version of a classic piece.
Django Reinhardt
Stormy Weather from “The Indispensable Django Reinhardt” One of my favorite songs played beautifully by a master guitarist.
Sweet Georgia Brown from “Django Reinhard & Quintette Du Hot Club de France” Who can hear this song and not think of the Harlem Globetrotters?
Django’s Tiger from “REINHARDT: Echoes of France” This guy’s fingers could really fly.
Improvisation from “Django Reinhardt: The Classic Early Recordings (Disc 5)” Amazing, amazing guitar work.
Joe Pass
Giant Steps from “Virtuoso #2” Another master guitarist, showing off his skill.
Here’s That Rainy Day from “Virtuoso” Love, love, love this song. Beautifully done.
Blues for Martin from “Montreux 77” I hope Martin enjoyed this one. I know I did.
Autumn Leaves from “Unforgettable” Nice take on this one.
Picture by flicker user Ctd 2005 under Creative Commons License. Use of this picture does not constitute an endorsement by Ctd 2005 of the ideas in this post.
2 responses to “SNJ06-20-09: A Night of Guitars”
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Dave this is gorgeous stuff. First heard Jim Hall on I Can’t Get Started on a rather obscure album called 2 Degrees East 3 Degrees West with John Lewis on piano among other stalwarts. This version is very different from that one, but great nonetheless. Just love that song.
The great version of Summertime you found is from the Jim Hall and Pat Metheny duet album. That’s Pat back there on acoustic rhythm and Jim up front on the lead melody. It’s an incredible album, which I’m proud to own. Talk about two generations of great guitarists!
And what need be said about Wes, Django, and Joe? The monsters of the guitar midway for sure. I was lucky enough to see Joe several times solo in the 80’s and I am thankful for that chance.
Thanks for the tunes!
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Little can be said about these guys that hasn’t already been said. Some fantastic talent. Glad you liked it.
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