Customer Reviews

Chops

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I have all Virtuoso CDs but only a few of his small group recordings. (I'd like to buy some of his 60's recordings as I hear they are excellent.) I got this CD because I have a book of guitar transcriptions of some of his Virtuoso solos and the only one that wasn't from the Virtuoso CDs was the version of "Your Own Sweet Way" from this album. I love that song so I got the CD to help me learn the transcription. I had never bought "Chops" before because I was afraid that, given the title, it might be too much of a self-indulgent excersize in seeing who could play Charlie Parker lines faster. But I was quite pleasantly surprised. While the technical playing of both Pass and Petersen are top-notch here, so is the overall musicianship. They play wonderfully together with great empathy, subtlety and imagination as well as fantastic "chops". So the title may be a bit misleading. This album isn't just about technical proficiecy but rather about two fantastic musicians making great music together. (While also displaying amazing "chops".) I recommend it highly.

Joe Pass and Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen are the two best on jazz guitar and acoustic bass, respectively, who ever lived. To hear them together, and the operative word is "together" is a treat all too rare for jazz lovers.

The music which has been left to us by these two great and unique musicians inspires one with awe not only at their technical brilliance but also their seemingly effortless spontenaity.They bring into being wonderful interplay in an aura of quiet intimacy without so much as one superfluous note.
All the pieces are superb but highlights include a marvelous "£5 Blues" (apt when one considers that the record was made in London in 1978!);a stunning exposition of Oscar Pettiford s ingeniously-constructed "Tricrotism" and delightful latinesque effects on "Quiet Nights".
Pass provides some technical insight into the music in the accomanying notes butthey seem to be incongrous in the light of such sublime artistry.

Everyone should know that Joe Pass is a great musician; however, the greatest bassist that I have ever heard is on this album. Niels Pederson is mindblowingly great. This album is good.

But the live album they cut in Europe is freaking mind blowing. I have over three hundred Jazz cds and the live album in Europe is my favorite. If you want to hear ripping improve check it out. You can see some samples if you look up Joe Pass and NHOP live on youtube. Look with Pass's name.

It is disappointing that NHOP, as far as I know, has not done jazz instruction videos or transcriptions. That guy is outstanding.

I love this album. I often get the chance to play in duo situations so this album gives great ideas.

Joe Pass never fails to amaze. Joe could play swing, be bop, or blues.He was the worlds best jazz guitarist,bar none.