Search - Howard Roberts :: Color Him Funky: H R Is a Dirty Guitar Player

Swingin' Like Mad

Tad Ulrich | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This two-fer CD has to be one of the swingingest guitar/organ albums ever made and one of the swingingest jazz albums period. Granted, it's light jazz, but it still swings like mad. There's nothing abrasive here. It's all very accessible and easy to listen to. It's music to get happy with for sure. The tunes are all concise and to the point. Narry a wasted note anywhere. And the musicians are clearly enjoying the hell out of what they're playing, too. Howard Roberts' virtuosity is astounding and I can't imagine a more complimentary group of side men to accompany him. Berghoffer, bass, and Palmer, drums are rock solid, steady and tasteful. The organists, Bryant and Kendrix, while different in style, mesh beautifully with Roberts' concept.Everything works well and even a schmaltzy Days of Wine & Roses is given a fantastic, original treatment.The cd itself is first rate. Several session photos not included in the original packages are included as are track times, recording dates, all original liner notes, photos and new liner notes by Jim Carlson. The music was remastered in stereo and the sound quality is excellent for both albums, although you will want to turn the volume up some when H.R. is a Dirty Guitar Player begins.Although both albums are excellent, my preference is H.R. because it seems to be just a little more cohesive than Color. To me, the sign of a great album is how many times you want to listen to it. I used to play H.R. to death when I owned the mono L.P. And now with the stereo cd, I'm discovering it all over again.So, if you want something to get you happy, it doesn't get any better than this two-fer."

IMMENSE!

Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 07/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Generally I tend not to pick words from other reviewers but this case is different. Mr Sadd thinks this work is excellent but dated. I want to add a brief answear in my review. If these two albums from Howard Roberts are dated I am Santa Claus. If these albums are dated the jazz history in its entirely is dated, something which obviously is not. Probbaly Mr Sadd and me have two completly different tastes in jazz. He likes J Scofield. When I heard J Scofield I tend to fall asleep, he is one of the most boring Jazz guitar player of all time in my opinion (and I know them all). I respect him, but I don't like him. If I have to pick a modern player I'd pick Joe Diorio probably. Second for me comes J McLaughlin. Certainly not Scofzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzz sorry I fell asleep. =)))) The end. These two albums are absolutly stratospheric, skyscraper tall, eternal Jazz. My friends, this is some of the best music I have ever heard no matter the 7000 thousands jazz cds I own. Howard Roberts in these records is unbelievable. He stands absolutly near the greatest musicians Jazz guitar ever offered (Wes, Johnny Smith, Joe Pass, Tal Farlow, Jimmy rainey and many others). I totally agree with the amazon reviewer, "Howard's playing is superb, sophisticated and at times ferocious, with blistering solos that testify to the hard-driving style of this architect of the 60's West Coast Sound". I'd add that is guitar tone is superb, pure vintage 175. Buy this cd, you'll find two amazing records (they are two as a matter of fact, HR is a dirty guitar player and Color him funky) that you'll listen for a long long time. Absolutly one of the best buy you can do. 5 stars for each albums, so this cd deserves at least 10!! I really love this! Thanks Mr Howard Roberts WONDERFUL guitar player!!!!!!!!!!



Some time later .... I can't stop myself. I have to say something more about these albums (they are two, do you remember?), now that I know them by memory, note for note. I think this combination makes one of the greatest jazz guitar albums of all time. Apart from Wes Montgomery stuff that is the greatest ever, Howard with this "compilation" comes first. his playing is sublime in my opinion. Only Hank Garland and some Barney Kessel stuff from the fifties come close, but Howard is the best. There are a lot of more difficult albums than this one especially in guitar a place where auto indulgence is very common, but this one is incredibly funny and lovely and absolutly perfect in its balance between technique and heart. I am a Jazz guitar player. I listen this one almost everyday. Immense."