Try Philip Catherine - any of his are great, but I think I'm most partial to "Transparence".
I also have "Nairam" on vinyl which I bought in '76 I think, and it's fantastic. It's not available on CD that I've been able to find (in fact even Google doesn't turn it up). It's different than anything else you'll find by anybody - including the resto of Philip's catalog. |
Check out some of the releases by Russell Malone. |
Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel |
The three guitarists you mention that you like all play in the "hard bop" style of jazz that was popular in the 1960's. You might also enjoy some of the guitarists who played in the Swing, bop, and cool styles of jazz. Here's a short list of guitarists to add to those already mentioned: Jim Hall (one of the truly great jazz guitarists); Tal Farlow; Charlie Byrd; George Barnes; Martin Taylor; Ed Bickert; Emily Remler; Grant Green; Jimmy Raney; Pat Martino; George van Eps; Bucky Pizzarelli; Ron Eschete; early George Benson (not his later stuff); Jack Wilkins; and Vic Juris.
Of course, if you want to understand the origins of jazz guitar, then you should also listen to some of the great recordings by Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian. |
Thanks for the recommendations. I have listened to samples on Amazon and have compiled an order list that includes Jim Hall, Herb Ellis, Ed Bickert, Philip Catherine, Emily Remler , Jack Wilkins and Tal Farlon. The last three artists really do it for me. Emily's "Firefly" and "East to Wes" are instrumentally simple (I mean this in the greatest sense as sometimes less is more) and magical ...too bad she left us early. Jack Wilkins plays cleanly and has a crisp melodic swing. Tal Farlow really smokes-it-up in "Cookin on all Burners".
Thanks again for the suggestions.
What about more current artists?
Hugo |
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Vic Juris is on my immediate list of must have now. Especially his album " A Second Look". Sounds very fluent and involving. |
As for more current artists, Jake Langley is a great guitarist that you might look into. |
Not sure if it qualifies but Diana Krall's guitarist, Anthony Wilson kicks some serious pick on her last two albums. He also has a number of his own with ensembles that might appeal to you though more in the modern vein |
I would suggest checking out Jimmy Bruno if you haven't done so already. |
I know i'm forgetting a bunch of great ones, but you might like these:
Jackie King... Moon Magic
Jarek Smietana... Cooperation
Ron Affif... 52nd Street
Larry Koonse... Americana
Joe Diorio... Narayani
Skip Heller... Fake Book
Garrison Fewell... Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Follow Ckorody's advice and get the Anthony Wilson solo discs! |
there's a new box set of "jazz guitar" came out a few months ago $40 - looked great from the cover
Oscar Peterson when Joe Pass and Niels Henning are with him are stellar discs if you don't know about them
Wes of course, Steve Masakowski from Astral Project
is Pat Methany too sugar coated for you? Bill Frisell |
Audiotomb,
thanks for the suggestions. I was not aware of Steve Masakowski unit now.
I own a couple of Frisell CD's that I listen to form time to time. As far as Pat Methany goes, I listened to only one of his CD's - Way Up - and was not impressed. I'd describe it as "cofectionary" - to me it just lacks soul.
I always liked Oscar's music however I don't have any of his discs. I remember catching a telecast of the last 30 minutes of a concert he performed at the Montreal Jazz festival a year ago. Don't know wheather it was recorded but I have been looking with no success. There was something very special about that concert that "brough me home". All the musicians played wonderfully but the guitarist solos were incredibly fluid. I don't know who he was. |
i have to second a vote for Django Reinhardt and if you want a real treat find a record with Stephan Grapelli playing with him on violin. Grapelli kills.
If you want to be amazed at what one man and 7 strings can accomplish check out Charlie Hunter. More fusiony than you may want but worth a try. |
I also agree regarding Dhango, the only problem is it's near impossible to find anything hi-fi, it's all that 40's recording quality. There are a number of Django desciples though, some who emulate him closely. Philip Catherine is one who does not. Bireli Lagrene does. |
i have two concord jazz guitar records. The first one is the from like 1972-73 and features herb ellis, joe pass and ray brown. I think this is a fantastic recording. the interplay between the atrists is exquisite and the arrangements are wonderful.
the second is a compilation, also from concord, featuring charlie byrd, herb ellis and bernie kessel, titled the great guitars, which i do not like nearly as much but i think just reflects how great i think the other recording is. |
I know what you mean about Methany beig confectionary
Peterson's discs - Live at the North Sea Jazz Festival, and The Good Life
they feature not only Joe Pass but Niels Henning Ormsted Pederson (NHOP) a phenom dutch bassist who sadly passed away last year
anything by this trio or with Ray Brown is stellar
TOm |
Pat Metheny or Al di meola. I wouldn't call this mainstream jazz more like fusion. Each has been rock solid for over 30 years. Metheny being sugar coated is one of the funniest statements on this forum. Try his earlier albums. {New Chataqua} |
For something different, you might also try Nguyen Le - Walking the Tiger's Tail is his most recent CD and perhaps his best (IMO), but his other works are worth the listen. Nguyen the child of Vietnamese immigrants, was raised in Paris and studied the playing of Hendrix. Some excellent guitar playing on this CD. The CD also has the influence of Paul McCandless (Oregon) and Art Lande.
John |
here is a long list of non mainstream guitarists. Go to tower records and search to find sound samples.sorry I don't have cd titles most of my shows are live concerts.
john abercrombie, will bernard, j.p.bourelly, fareed haque
miroslav tadic, michael brook, khalil chanine, larry coryell
marc ducret, david torn, ralph towner, steve tibbetts,
bill frisell, egberto gismonti, elliot sharp,
john mclaughlin, sonny sharrock, terje rypdal,
ernest raglin |
Take a listen to Paul Motian's Garden of Eden, which feature the guitars of Jakob Bro, Ben Monder, Steve Cardenas. |
that Paul Motian of Bill Evans fame? |
I would check out the new Sai Ghose CD "New Blood". Given your taste, I think you might like it a lot. |
Hi again Giorgioh,
I didn't realize that there was a review of this CD. See
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=21208
John |
"that Paul Motian of Bill Evans fame?"
Audiotomb- Yes. Still producing great music. |
Look for Ben Monder.
Exceptional phrasing, great sound.
Especially when he plays with Theo Bleckmann (awsome vocalist, I never heard a guy with such a range -- and able to go along Monder's phrasing).
"Oceana" is good. "No boat" is even better. |
BEN RILEY'S MONK LEGACY - Memories of T (Concord) |
Try Duke Ellington's "Duke's Big Four". It's a quartet date from 1973 on the Pablo label. It's Duke - piano, Ray Brown - bass, Louis Bellson - drums and Joe Pass on guitar. Very well played all the way around and really REALLY good recording. |
Peter White / Playin' Favorites.
This is smooth jazz guitarist Peter White playing soul jazz classics. Ensembles that's mostly instrumental. Released in 06.
Not only great music but recorded well which is a prerequisite on my system/taste.
Frank |
I cycled thru so many amp/pre incl Shindo, Atma, Jules, countless other gears/accessories to find the sonic experience. Now that I have settled with the right sound, I found it harder and harder to find the right content to match my gear. For example, putting a vhs source thru a 1080P plasma. I highly recommend NGUYEN LE. Nguyen LE's content is fluid and recording by ACT is superb ie. the layering. IMHO, his best is yet to come. He doesn't have signatory chop, and when speaking of World, he is Vietnamese, raised in Europe, influenced by Jazz/Rock/World. Most/all other guitarists have tried the World things and the results are half-*** including John McLaughlin, Eric Clapton, countless... Also, other guitarists also tried Jimi Hendix... Nguyen Le's interpretation of Jimi Hendrix in his Purple CD is creative and awesome! |
Lenny Breau hasn't been mentioned yet. Such a shame that he has always been so overlooked. I really like the album Guitar Sounds From Lenny Breau even though it has a few novelty covers such as King Of The Road & Hard Day's Night. There's a little documentary on youtube that tells a bit more about his life. I've yet to track down the album he cut with Chet Atkins. Anyone hear this? |
Indofunka,
Something is really wrong with the system you assembled if you can't listen to your music. Its the signature of OTL- they get the balance completely wrong. I've had the same problems and know many who sold their OTL's. Notice how many OTL's appear on Audiogon? Its a mistake many of us make, we are seduced by the "airy" sound which is actually brightness. Dumo the OTL and start to enjoy your music. |
Grover Washington, Jr. has a great guitarist on soom of his ablums like "Reed Seed" and "Live at the Bayou" - his name is Richard Steacker. |
Analog111, Shindo is not OTL.
I do enjoy the music regardless of types of system/technology. My focus is on content. Good content (creative, inventive, element of surprise, fluid, not mechanical, not me-too strategy) bind with good recording is extremely hard to find, thus my Nguyen Le's recommendation.
Take your OTL discussion to the right forum. I don't have technology religion, so I am curious what others have to say about your comment: "OTL dumping". |
I've had a few of the current, popular OTL amps, and yeah, I agree with analog111. There is something missing with OTL amps. Call it soul. You shouldn't have to pick and choose the music you listen to based upon what amp you have. Something is seriously wrong with your system if you have to do that. |
If you want to try something just a bit off the beaten path, filled with inventive rhythms, soaring melodies and unusual instrumentation its well worth listening to Ali Farka Touré, the truly phenomenal African guitarist from Mali who passed away last year. People tend to peg him as a blues player but that is more etymological then anything - meaning that he is singled out to make the case that blues came from Mali. OK, some but not all Anyhow if you can draw a straight line between jazz and blues... LOL
I have three of his CDs: Savane, his last. In The Heart Of The Moon which is perhaps the most ethereal. And Talking Timbuktu, his amazing collaboration with Ry Cooder. (Wow that man has taste)
Back in the mainstream, Ray Brown did a fine album called Some Of My Best Friends Are... Guitarists. Nice lineup including Pass, Burrell and John Pizzarelli |
Grant Green did a ton of varied stuff in the 60's.
There's some great guitar work on Miles Davis' Jazz Fusion era (late 60's with John McGlaughlin - Bitches Brew, and Tribute to Jack Johnson.) |
