Search - Johnny Smith :: Sound of Johnny Smith

Johnny Smith - Mr Jazz Guitar

Michael Gannon | Westchester County, NY | 01/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a collector or starting to build a collection of eclectic jazz guitar work, this album should find its way into your collection, easily. Like the majority of Johnny's work,
he shows time and again, that he belongs at the very top with the Jazz Guitar immortals. His cleanliness, speed and overall
versatility is always graced with his impecable taste and song
selection. There is alot of music here and all of it worth listening to over and over again. "Gypsy In My Soul" and 'Round Midnight' are two of my favorites here. Enjoy!"

Johnny Smith, The sound of the Johnny Smith Guitar

jimmy lyons | dade city, fl United States | 11/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Eddie Lang, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Raney, Joe Pass, Tal Farlow. Some great jazz guitar legends. Add to that Johnny Smith. Barney Kessel said there were some guitar players as good as Johnny Smith but none better. This is one great cd. It is actually 2 albums released in the early 60's. This stuff all kicks. What a master of clear musicality in his playing. He attacks the bop numbers, plays ballads beautifully, and can lay down the blues. Any young guitarist wanting to hear a genious that never sacrifices the song for hollow stabs at technical virtuosity will love the man's playing. If you have never heard him before listen to "Gypsy in My Soul" It will make you a believer."

What a sound - what taste - what a great player

douglasnegley | Pittsburgh, Pa. United States | 09/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I remember when my uncle - himself a jazz radio announcer - decided to let go of his LPs, and called me to come up to New York to get them. He had at least a thousand. I buried myself with them, and he watched as I threw aside the ones I already had or didn't think looked cool. After putting aside the Johhny Smith LP that makes up one-half of this CD, he stopped me. "Are you nuts?" I can still hear him saying, and he was a musician, also, "This is one of the best guitar players out there!" Here was a square looking guy with a crewcut, and the LP cover was nothing to write home about, but my uncle Sterling knew his jazz so I took it to humor him. Man, was I in for a suprise. The sound alone (he had a guitar named after him) was killer, and the licks seemed effortless. "Out Of Nowhere", and "Some Of These Days" knocked me out. Still not as well known as many lesser players, Smith never plays a superfluous note. He is a consummate pro. I haven't heard the second LP on this CD, so 4 stars, now."