Customer Reviews

Live in Tokyo

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Jimmy Raney is an undiscovered treasure. The depth of the musicanship, especially on this album is clearly unmatched by any guitarist. The cross the bar line phrasing, long lines, perfect time, bird references and general melodic genius. No one gets close to this. He was on the level of Charlie Parker and Bud Powell on his instrument or close to it. He also had other strains happening. Listen to Strings and Swings and his classical quintet writing. This clues you in to his mind. This is one of his finest records--done on his guitarist son Doug's (Also destined for unsung hero status)L7

JIMMY RANEY IS A GUITAR'S PLAYER GUITAR PLAYER. WHEN HE WAS ALIVE AND ACTIVELY GIGGING PLAYERS LIKE MONGOMERY,KESSEL,HALL AND OTHERS - INCLUDING ALL THE LOCAL YOKALS COULD BE FOUND SITTING OR SWAYING IN THE AUDIENCE. QUITE FRANKLY THE "BEST"
RANEY FOR ME IS THE OLDER RANEY - HIS EARLY RECORDINGS ARE CERTAINLY SOLID, BUT, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, DO NOT REVEAL THE DEPTH THAT WAS TO FOLLOW. THIS RECORDING IS EASILY MY FAVORITE RAINEY RECORDING AND ONE OF MY TOP 3 OR 4 FAVORITE GUITAR ALBUMS PERIOD. FROM THE FIRST NOTE ON THIS DVD THERE IS MAGIC IN THE AIR - RANEY'S INTERPATATION OF STANDARDS IS ALWAYS COMPELLING.
HIS ARTICULATIONS ARE SOPHISTICATED, COMPLEX AND SUPER HIP - AND HE JUST SWINGS HIMSELF SILLY HERE - "HOW ABOUT YOU" IS TAKEN AT A MID-TEMPO SWING AND IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES - THIS TRULY CAPTURES A MATURE ARTIST FINDING SYNERGY WITH LIVE AUDIENCE.
HIS UNACCOMPANIED VERSION OF STELLA BY STARLIGHT IS EXTREMELY MOVING, BUT IS A MUSICAL CONSTRUCTION OF GREAT DEPTH AND GREAT BEAUTY. THIS IS TREMENDOUS MUSIC BY ONE OF THE MASTERS OF THE JAZZ GUITAR - NOT TO BE MISSED.

Next to Wes Montgomery's "Smokin at the Half Note" and "Full House" this CD contains the finest, most impressive live jazz guitar playing I've ever heard. Jimmy Raney was known in his heyday as the "definative cool jazz guitarist" and it's amazing to me how he could possibly be so overlooked. His long lines just flow, seemingly effortlessly from one change to another. This recording is a must own for any serious guitarist or appreciater of the classic jazz guitar era. Highest recommendation!

One of the finest jazz guitar trio recordings I know. Raney seems to be unjustly forgotten these days, but he belongs up there with *anybody* of his generation.

I bought this when it came out and 30 years later it still is the best .I don't even like most jazz guitarists of that era:Pass,Kessel,Ellis,Farlow.Their sound ,phrasing and swing sound really lame to my ears.But with Raney,and this recording more than any other,there is something that is timeless.The downside to the CD is that the extra tunes are worthless so configure your player to only play the original ones and then you get the best experience.I think the reason for that is that they have additional players and for whatever reason if just doesn't work.By the way ,there are 2 additional tunes