Customer Reviews

Soft Winds

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As a former (very amateur) player, I've been collecting jazz guitar records for nearly forty years and, until recently, had never heard of Ron Eschete. To say he's George Van Eps incarnate doesn't do him justice, for in addition to the mellow, full-finger chord work on his Van Eps-inspired seven-string hollow-body guitar, he's got a wonderful single-note touch and a great feeling for the blues. Where he really shines, however, is on the slow and medium-tempo standards--like Rodgers & Hart's "Where or When" and "My Romance" and the not-heard-often-enough Burke/Van Heusen oldie "But Beautiful." And his choice of material is excellent--from his lovely takes on the slow and medium-tempo standards (such as those just mentioned) to a wonderful original piece, "I-5 Blues" and a foot-tapping take on the title song: the old Benny Goodman warhorse "Soft Winds"--and the rarely-heard 50's hit "Because of You" (a song I thought sappy at the time, but after listening to Eschete's reading, wonder why it doesn't get more jazz play). Paul Humphrey, a rock-solid journeyman bassist and the (to me at least) unknown drummer, Todd Johnson, provide near-perfect support on this wonderfully well-done and very thoughtful album. Eschete deserves a much wider audience.

Ron Eschete has produced an intimate cd incorporating great seven string guitar playing with intricate interplay between the guitar and bass. Refreshing melodic and chordal ideas. The latin feel of Sleepwalk was a true surprise! A definite must have.