Customer Reviews

Nothing But the Blues

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Herb Ellis is yet another unsung jazz guitarist. His sides with Oscar Peterson's legendary group added nuance and a subtle shade of soul to already perfect performances. Unfortunately, his often-times subdued playing meant you almost never really heard him play. This exceptional 1958 date, his "first" for a major label, is filled with brilliant playing. And though he doesn't aim for pyrotechnics, the album contains soft-hued pieces brimming with quiet soul and just a hint of his Texas swing roots. The remastering on this reissue is first-rate and brings the recording's nuances right to the fore. And for those of you who (like me) fell in love with his style, there's loads more out there... Ellis deserves a place of honour along with Grant Green, George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Barney Kessel and Joe Pass as a genuine genius of jazz guitar. Very easy on the ears, very relaxed riffing, very eye-opening performances. A perfect introduction.

I had played guitar for almost twenty years, most of it wasted on rock 'n' roll. Herb Ellis on this cd, and on Oscar Peterson's "Shakespearean Festival, and "Concertgebouw" cds,turned me to jazz and I've never turned back. He is absolutely my favorite. Despite having played with everyone who is anyone in jazz I've never felt he got his due. He's just incredible. Buy this cd--you'll love it. Buy the Oscar Peterson cds I mentioned above. Buy Herb Ellis and Red Mitchell "Doggin' Around." Seriously, you can't go wrong with anything Mr. Ellis is on.

"For all his yeoman's duty as Oscar Peterson's guitarist in the Fifties, and the countless sessions he has countributed to since, Herb Ellis feels that this recording is his greatest accomplishment. Flanked by superior improvisers - a sure sign of confidence - such as Roy Eldridge and Stan Getz, Ellis lays down eight varied yet perfect blues tunes (including five originals by him and bassist Ray Brown). And this CD includes four bonus tracks played by a Jazz at the Philharmonic All Stars lineup - including Eldridge, Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, and Coleman Hawkins."
-quoted from back of "Nothing But The Blues" CD

Although Roy Eldridge and Stan Getz are among my favorite musicians (and Ray Brown is one of the best modernist and mainstream bass players), the small problem I have with this CD is that the other musicians seem to have adapted to Herb Ellis' style - pleasant to the ears yes, but somewhat lacking in the drive department.
Don't get me wrong - I think these performances are all at least good and some are even excellent (particularly the bonus track with Dizzy Gillespie), but Ellis for me simply does not come across as a hard enough swinger to carry the weight of the pianoless rhtyhm section.
Subtle arragements and ballads also fill me with joy but this is not the answer to my objection. This is mostly the blues and arrangements are fitting the repertoire well, so there is simply not enough hard driving swing...

This album should be in every jazz CD collection.
A selection of great blues standards and originals by Ellis. Not only are Ellis' solos great but the playing of Stan Getz, Roy Eldridge and Ray Brown is at their best.
On the basis of this album alone Ellis ranks amongst the great jazz guitarists.