ESSENTIAL GUITAR RECORDINGS

If you could only allow yourself a handful of LPs / CDs from your collection, which would you choose? If you could only have one or two albums by each of your favourite guitarists, which would they be? I've chosen a selection of material from my collection, which I could not do without; the ones I consider to be the best of, with respect to individual guitarists. I have presented my choice in chronological order. I stress once again that these are my PERSONAL favourites. You might disagree - feel free to let me know either way.
Charlie Christian 1941	When asked to name the main influence or reason for taking up the guitar most of the guitarists who came to prominence in the 1950's/1960's named Charlie Christian. Furthermore, they invariably mention one particular record made by Charlie with the Benny Goodman orchestra in 1941 - "SOLO FLIGHT". You have to agree with all that there is something unique and inspiring about this particular recording. It is unique in that was probably the first time that an electric guitar had fronted a big band so successfully. Inspiring? - It makes me think "I wish I could do that!". You can find this particular track on "Charlie Christian - The Genius Of The Electric Guitar" CBS CD 460612-2
Les Paul 1944	On July 2nd 1944 Norman Granz organised Los Angeles' first full-scale Jazz Concert at the Philharmonic Auditorium. The event turned into something much bigger over the years as Granz toured with his Jazz At The Philharmonic Concerts for many years. The highlight of this, the first concert, was a 10 minute track, "BLUES", which featured an exchange by the pianist - a certain Nat "King" Cole - and Les Paul who, at that time, was a poll winning jazz guitarist. Six minutes into the track Cole's bassist, Johnny Miller, begins a solo and it is evident that Paul and Cole are enjoying the occasion and collectively support the bassist. Les Paul starts his solo in his usual manner and before long he and the pianist are engaged in trading 'licks'. The result is a crowd pleasing, hilarious exchange that has become famous and has been played many times in request shows on radio by jazz fans all over the world. This track can be found on "Jazz At The Philharmonic - The First Concert" Verve CD 521 646-2 (Soon to be re-issued on the Jasmine Label)
Django Reinhardt 1947	You may have wondered, since this list is chronological, why I have not included Django before now. The truth is that you could offer me any Django track and I would say "Yes, that's the one!". BUT I have decided to be ruthless with myself and choose my absolute favourite Django tracks. These HAVE to be the tracks he recorded for a series of radio programmes for RTF France entitled "SOUVENIRS OF DJANGO" between August and November of 1947. Originally issued (posthumously) in the late 1950's on three 10inch LPs these tracks feature Django, mainly on electric guitar, at the height of his powers. He had recently returned from his disappointing tour of the USA with the Ellington Band and a slight change of direction can be detected in these recordings. His mastery of the electrified instrument in the controlled circumstances of the studio is superb and not at all like some of the later recordings on which he seemed not to care that much about his sound. These recording are now all available on Fremeaux. See the discography.
Johnny Smith 1952	The legendary Johnny Smith! Underrated in terms of his contribution to chord melody playing, Johnny was once referred to as the "King Of Good Taste" in a magazine article and this describes the way in which I think of his playing. The 1952 sessions dubbed "Jazz At NBC" featured tenor sax players Stan Getz, Zoot Sims and Paul Quinichette and were re-released on the EMI/ Roulette CD "Moonlight In Vermont". The title track is famous for not having two lines of lyrics that rhyme, but is even more famous among guitarists as the tune that will be forever linked with the great Johnny Smith. Some tracks from other sessions such as "Moods" are included and make this the definitive JS CD. "Moonlight In Vermont" - Roulette CDP 797747-2 Another special favourite, sadly not available on CD, is "Johnny Smith Plays...Jimmy Van Heusen" - Roost LP 2201,Vogue LP LAE 12169 Update: All of the Roost recording are now available in a Mosaic Boxed Set. (See the discography).
Tal Farlow 1954	In the early fifties Tal must have frightened a lot of guitarists with his phenomenal technique. His work with Red Norvo had forced him to play at tempi that not many could have handled. By 1954 his reputation had grown such that he was asked to record an album for Blue Note which was released, originally as a 10inch LP, called "Tal Farlow Quartet". The line-up consisted of Tal, guitarist Don Arnone and bass and drums. Highlights of the album are the incredibly fast first track "Lover" and the Farlow trademark harmonics on "Flamingo". If I could only have one Tal Farlow album this would be it! "Tal Farlow Quartet" - Blue Note CD 7243 4 95748 A bonus is that the first part of the CD contains the original album "Howard McGhee Vol.2" which also features Tal in a sextet setting.
Barney Kessel 1957	Barney Kessel's recording career spanned a forty year period but he only started recording under his own name around 1953. All of his early Contemporary albums (now available on OJC CDs) are worth listening to but Barney's legendary " The Poll Winners" album with Ray Brown and Shelley Manne has to be considered his finest ever! Try to ignore the unusual stereo placement or better still listen in mono. Also try to avoid the latest 20Bit version - the sound is very artificial and does nothing to improve the brilliance of Barney's finest effort: "The Poll Winners" Contemporary VDJ 1557 (Japan) Also worth considering from 1960 is "The Poll Winners - Exploring The Scene" on OJC CD 969-2
Hank Garland 1960	Not many guitarists progress from being 'stars' of "The Grand Old Opry" to being legends of jazz guitar. This guy did! In 1960 he took the jazz guitar playing world by storm and recorded just the one main album that everyone remembers him by before being involved in a car accident which effectively ended his musical career. If you can find it "Jazz Winds From A New Direction" Sony CD WK 75027 won't disappoint you! (I am reliably informed by Mark Sorensen that a comprehensive Limited Edition 5CD set of Hank's recordings is available from the Hank Garland web-site. My thanks to Mark)
Joe Pass 1961	Joe Pass got out of Synanon House (the Santa Monica, California drug rehab. centre) in 1962. Although he had been a working musician and active drug addict since the late forties, he had made no headway until Dick Bock recorded him and fellow Synanon residents on the album "Sounds Of Synanon". These are the first lines from the sleeve notes of the CD - "The Best Of Joe Pass" which contains three of those hard to get tracks from that album. Along with the three Synanon tracks are 13 other tracks from Joe's output in the 1961 - 1964 period including four from "For Django". If I had to pick just one Joe Pass CD this would be it: "The Best Of Joe Pass" - Pacific Jazz CDP 7243 8 54944 Other Joe Pass favourites include "Tudo Bem". "Quadrant" and the two albums Joe recorded with Art Van Damme - "Keep Going" and "Blue World".
Wes Montgomery 1963	Just like with the Django recordings I find it necessary to limit myself to one (or two) absolute favourite albums by Wes Montgomery. He had been producing knock-out albums since the wonderful 1959 "Wes Montgomery Trio"and 1960's "The Incredible Jazz Guitar.." In 1963 Wes returned to the trio format and re-united with Mel Rhyne to record some tracks which were eventually released as "Boss Guitar"(OJCCD 261), "Guitar On The Go"(OJCCD 489) and "Portrait Of Wes" (OJCCD 144). By 1963 Wes' sound was being recorded in a way that better suited his unique style of picking and this, along with his natural genius for jazz guitar, combined to make these the ultimate examples of his work from the Riverside period. All three albums should be available on the OJC label, but for all the tracks in chronological order I go for "The Complete Wes Montgomery On Riverside" - Riverside 12RCD 4408 My favourite tracks: Listen to "Dearly Beloved", "Besame Mucho", "The Way You Look Tonight", "The Days Of Wine And Roses", "Canadian Sunset".......
Jim Hall 1963	Between 1959 and 1964 Jim Hall recorded five albums with alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. The combination of these two musicians produced beautiful music that has rarely if ever been surpassed in a combination featuring a jazz guitarist. Each compliments the other in a unique fashion and neither gets in the others way. Jim Hall has stated that he believes that the role of the accompanist is to provide a backing right up to the end of, in this case, Desmond's solo and therefore Hall often appears to start his solos late. But when he does, they are always worth waiting for! Harmonically, Hall is unsurpassed! Of the five albums, if I had to make a choice, I would go for "GLAD TO BE UNHAPPY" but since I have it I will choose "The Complete Paul Desmond RCA Recordings 1961-64 with Jim Hall" RCA 7432142530-2 This boxed set does not include the original 1959 album "East Of The Sun" which is also worth considering and was available on Discovery Records CD DSCD 840
Howard Roberts 1963	Howard Roberts was one of those instantly recognisable players who never failed to please. It is, however, true to say that the music he was recording in the early sixties with organ, bass and drums is the music his fans remember best. He combined elements of bebop and cool jazz with a funky bluesy style. There are suggestions in interviews that he considered that this was not the "real" Howard Roberts but it worked for me. Guitarchives re-issued two of these albums, "Colour Him Funky" and "Howard Roberts Is A Dirty Guitar Player" on a double CD: "Dirty 'n' Funky" - Howard Roberts - CD 72438-19483-2-3 Listen to: Watermelon Man, If Ever I Would Leave You, One Note Samba, What Kind Of Fool and Days of Wine And Roses for a different approach.
Kenny Burrell 1963	What a year 1963 was for jazz guitarists! Kenny Burrell is reputedly the most recorded Jazz Guitarist ever. Having recorded the hugely successful "Midnight Blue" (Blue Note) in January of 1963 Kenny was back in the studios (Verve this time) in June and July to record one of his many albums with Jimmy Smith - "Blue Bash". The difference with this album is that Kenny is deservedly given top billing and is truly playing the best of his long career. Recently re-issued by Verve (try to ignore the alternative takes - the original choices were the correct ones) I couldn't leave this one out. "Blue Bash" - Verve CD 557 453-2
Baden Powell 1966	Baden Powell is one of the few guitarists in jazz who played only on classical guitar and concentrated on his native Brazilian, Bossa Nova based music. Other successes in this style were Charlie Byrd and Laurindo Almeida who was probably one of the originators in jazz. But Baden Powell always stands out above the rest for me if I want to listen to this style of guitar. Three Baden Powell LPs "Tristeza On Guitar", Poema On Guitar" and "Apaixonado"are contained within the MPS double CD set: "Baden Powell - Three Originals" - MPS 519 216-2 Listen to: "Tristeza" and a beautiful version of "Round Midnight"
Herb Ellis 1969	During the 1950's Herb Ellis made some wonderful music with Oscar Peterson before he left the trio in 1958 to be replaced by a drummer. The Herb Ellis album that I have chosen is a reunion with Oscar recorded for the MPS label in W.Germany in 1969. Effectively a quartet with Herb joining the then Oscar Peterson trio, this one swings like crazy and is always the first album I think of when Herb's name is mentioned: "Hello Herbie" - MPS CD 821 846-2 Other Herb Ellis favourites include the four albums he did with Joe Pass and the early "Great Guitars" albums.
Lenny Breau 1969	"In the relatively short career of the electric guitar as a prominent solo instrument there have been many excellent players, but comparatively few guitarists who have contributed new styles and approaches to the instrument". These are words of Johnny Smith in his sleeve notes to a 1969 recording by Lenny Breau who was then beginning to make his mark in jazz guitar circles. The career of this remarkable musician was comparatively short but he managed to pack into it a whole new stylistic approach. My first exposure to the wonder of Lenny's music was "Lullaby Of Birdland" from the Reader's Digest Box Set which is described elsewhere on thes pages. My choice of Lenny Breau CD would be: "The Velvet Touch Of Lenny Breau - LIVE" - ONE WAY RECORDS CD OW 29315 Other favourites are "Guitar Sounds From Lenny Breau" (sadly, still not available on CD) and "Minors Aloud" (not on CD) with some incredible steel guitar playing from Buddy Emmons.
George Barnes 1974	George Barnes' career as a jazz guitarist started in the 1930's when he became one of the first guitarists to use the electrified instrument. He probably achieved his greatest success in 1973-75 when he formed a quartet with Ruby Braff. This short-lived group recorded around 8 albums worth of material any of which deserve a place in a guitarists top twenty favourites. The one I have chosen was recorded in April 1974: "The Ruby Braff / George Barnes Quartet - Live At The New School - The Complete Concert" Chiaroscuro CR(D) 126
Tony Rizzi's Five Guitars 1976	This recording changed my whole perspective on guitar music! The individuals involved - Tony Rizzi, Tim May, Jimmy Wyble, Grant Geissman and a certain M Rosati are all great guitarists (I know little of Mr Rosati). But collectively they produced one of the great guitar albums. The five guitars play in ensemble as five saxes or trombones would in a big band. On this album the material used is from the recordings of Charlie Christian using the master's improvisations as a starting point, played in harmony, by the five guitars. Guitars one and five play the top line an octave apart, while the other three guitars fill in the harmonies (all parts moving in the same direction at the same time - as much as possible!). Guitar parts one two and even three are recognisable as what we know as music. Guitar part four is pure Klingon music! Put them all together and you have something special. Tony Rizzi's 5 Guitars and 4 Others play the Music Of Charlie Christian - Millagro 1000 Not available on CD as far as I know. However a CD recording was made some years ago of Joe Pass soloing over the original album on ALCR CD 125.
Martin Taylor 1989	Among the other guitarists in my "top twenty" Martin could be considered as one of the new kids on the block. However, his recording career started in earnest around 1979 and there are some fine examples of his work out there. He was also impressive as accompanist to the great Stephane Grappelli. His output on the Linn label between 1990 and 1997 contains some very impressive work, especially if you like solo guitar, but in 1987 he recorded an album for the Gaia label which just about sums up Martin's impeccable taste and gift for choosing the right material for himself. I particularly like "Mornin'", "Jenna" and "Cherokee Ridge". There are also a couple of solos and a track which features Grappelli. My Martin Taylor choice: "Sarabanda" - GAIA CD PCD 9018
Howard Alden & George Van Eps 1991	Between 1991 and 1994 Howard and the great George Van Eps recorded four albums for the Concord Label: "13 Strings", "Hand Crafted Swing", "Seven and Seven" and "Keepin' Time". By this time George was 80 years young but still playing stunning guitar. Howard Alden compliments the master and the pairing produces some memorable moments. George's earlier recordings are particularly hard to find, especially on CD but "Mellow Guitar" is one which has been re-issued on CD and is well worth seeking out. However I have chosen: "Hand Crafted Swing" - Concord CCD 4513 as my favourite memory of this great guitarist. Also available on the Concord Label is "Legends" - CCD 4616 on which George shares the billing with Johnny Smith (not playing together).