"Charlie was a true original - unique musical vision"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 01/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Concord Jazz presents one of the true great jazz musicians of our time, Charlie Byrd in his final studio recording - "For Louis", having the greatest respect for "Satchmo Armstrong" this album was conceived and dedicated.Charlie and his love for the guitar was influenced by Andreas Segovia and Charlie Christian, but it was in Brazil he discovered his love for the emerging "bossa nova" movement. Recorded with the great saxophonist Stan Getz the big hit - "Desafinado" in 1962 and the bossa nova wave arrived in North America.Byrd recorded for Concord in the mid '70s to the '90s, holds the distinction as the artist with the longest consecutive history with the label, over twenty-five years - here are just a few titles "Blue Byrd" (1978), "Sugarloaf Suite" (1979), "Brazilville" (1981), "Isn't It Romantic" (1984), "Tango" (1985), "It's A Wonderful World" (1988), "Du Hot Club De Concord" (1995), "Great Guitars 2" (1995), "My Inspiration: Music of Brazil" (1999) and this current release with the tasteful, low-key and ingratiatingly melodic style Charlie is noted for.The entire album is a HIGHLIGHT, as Charlie celebrates Louis Armstrong we say thank you, for the indelible contribution and the introduction of both classical guitar and Brazilian influences, which created a whole new musical blueprint for us to follow...spin this CD, sit back and just listen to GREAT JAZZ - Charlie Byrd style!Total Time: 58:39 on 12 Tracks...Concord Jazz CCD-4879...(2000)"