Customer Reviews

Quadromania

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

 

 

This CD release includes all the tracks from the following 3 original LPs, all of which are still available on CD:
1.Easy Like
2.Kessel Plays Standards
3.To Swing or Not to Swing.
There are also 17 tracks from Barney's stint with the Oscar Peterson Trio, 5 of which feature Lester Young.
A great price for some wonderful music from a great guitarist.

Prior to this CD compilation import, my listening experience had been to hear Barney Kessell as a sideman - most notably with the great Oscar Peterson and Lester Young. Some of these recordings predate his collaboration with the more well known superstars of jazz and also serve to hear him as a "stand alone" artist.

He does not disappoint, either accompanied or solo. This cd is truly a great introduction to his guitar artistry and should not be missed.

I just received this item a few days ago, & all 4 CDs are representative of a lifetime of jazz guitar. He was one of the gutarists who came directly from Charlie Chritian, but took his own work beyond swing to hard bop.I have always loved the tune 'Wonderful on CD2. A great intro by the pianist, then Barney takes over, playing point-counterpoint with him. There is more piano on this cut than guitar. On cut 14, Barney does "Salute to to Charlie Christian, quoting, Dizzy Gillespies "Birks Works" among others. It is definitely a minor 12-bar blues & very enticing. As a matter of fact, it IS "Birks Works", so why does he call it "Salute to Charlie Christian?" Hmmmmat any rate, this is a fine collection, & I gave it 5 stars.