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September 23, 2008 - 1:49am
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Great Sounding Jazz Guitar (non-audiophile)
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Jazzfan, it's good to see you deep into the idiom. I thought only other guitarists had Emily's stuff. I love her albums on the Justice label. You mention her Concord album, which reminds me of Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert. Concord had a duet series and Ed was teamed up with pianist Bill May. That's a "must have" in my book, with great sonics and even better music.
"Nice and Easy" with Ella and Joe Pass is another stunning album. It's just glorious vocal with tasty guitar backgrounds. Without looking, I think it's on Verve. I have a 45 rpm reissue that's incredible, but it's also available on SACD and CD.
I'll try to grab a handful of my the best sounding CDs that you haven't listed. "Montgomery Brothers" comes to mind right now, but there are many others.
Dave
My "knowledge" of jazz guitar does not come from me being "deep into the idiom" of jazz guitar (which I'm really not) but is more likely due to the fact that as a teenager in the early 1970's I first dabbed my toe into the waters of jazz by exploring the electric side of jazz via Miles Davis and other fusion bands. Coming from a rock music background, where electric guitar is the primary instrument, carrying that guitar based mentality over into jazz meant that I've always had an ear out for good guitar players, regardless of musical genre.
I'm not sure how "great" sounding the following are. But they're some of my favorite jazz guitar recordings:
Grant Green's Idle Moments with Bobby Hutcherson & Joe Henderson, the Sonny Clark sessions (Gooden's Corner, Nigeria, Oleo & Born To be Blue), Feelin' The Spirit with Herbie Hancock, Matador with Elvin Jones & McCoy Tyner & Solid with Tyner, Jones, Joe Henderson & James Spalding.
Joe Pass's Catch Me & For Django.
Barney Kessel-On Fire. A live set from the mid-'60s with Kessel stretching out a lot more than he did on his Contemporary studio sessions.
Tony Purrone-In The Heath Zone. A piano-less quartet with great support from Nick Brignola on various reeds.
Michael Musillami-Glass Art & The Young Child. Both with Thomas Chapin on reeds.
Wes Montgomery's live Paris '65 performance was most recently reissued by Definitive Records. 2 CDs with Harold Mabern on piano & Johnny Griffin guesting on several tracks. Like the Kessel disc, Montgomery really stretches out here.
Anthony Wilson-Our Gang & Savivity. Both produced by Joe Harley but definitely not "audiophile" recordings.
Also chck out Dave Stryker's things on Steeplechase & Mel Bay.
Andy
Jazzfan,
Some great choices!
I have the original Verve vinyl of "Movin' Wes". Being too young, back in the 60's, when it was released my older brother introduced me to jazz guitar via this album
I, also, have the Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane album you mention...more wonderful music. Along with a mixture of Metheney and McLaughlin.
Not being familiar with the others you mention I will certainly give them a listen.
Thanks for the selection.