Search - Tal Farlow, Les Paul, Django Reinhardt :: Progressions: 100 Years Of Jazz Guitar

95 Years of Country, Rock, Fusion, But Mostly Jazz Guitar

J. Seigle | Vienna, VA USA | 01/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In listening to the first selections on the Disc 1, I started to ask myself, "What's jazz?" Well, to paraphrase Justice Potter Stewart, I know it when I hear it. And there are several selections in this anthology that I just can't call jazz. Good selections. Historically significant selections. Selections with hot guitar playing. But not jazz.



I am an amateur jazz guitarist, but certainly not the most scholarly or knowledgable about the history of jazz guitar. But I know that by any stretch, banjo music from 1906 is not jazz guitar. I also know that Jimi Hendrix playing Manic Depression is not jazz guitar. Jimi was the greatest, but his fame was basically inventing modern rock guitar. His most obvious influences were blues. There may have been some jazz influence, but it isn't evident in this selection. Similarly, I am still trying to figure out why Chet Atkins and Carlos Santana are here. These guys are the greatest, but they're not jazz. Another tune sounds like early aimless experimental overfuzzed guitar (also non-jazz) music--and I was shocked to check the notes and find out it was recorded in the late 90's.



After I pondered the "what is jazz" question, I tried to figure out what the producers were trying to do with this collection. I didn't necessarily expect the best known selections from each guitarist; I think a "best of the best" would be tiresome. But I couldn't identify any other theme holding this thing together. Illustrate the progression of jazz guitar? Well, the selections are not always chronological--a Barney Kessel recording from 1957 is followed five tunes later by Chet Atkins in 1951. A selection by Derek Baily from 1996 is followed by the Hendrix tune from 1966. There seems to be no particular pattern or grouping. Is it about a collection of the most influential jazz guitarists and their recordings? Well, I must admit I never knew that Toots Thielemans even played guitar until now. The recording of him doubling himself on whistling Bluesette is deftly played but lightweight and more of a novelty than an influence. There are many great guitarists represented, but in many cases I am baffled by the selections. Solo Flight by Charlie Christian is undeniably a seminal piece. Unit 7 is my personal favorite recording by Wes Montgomery. How Insensitive was one of Charlie Byrd's favorites; I heard him play it in Annapolis many years ago. On the other hand, Just Friends by Pat Martino is a great take, although is earlier work that doesn't truly represent how his style eventually evolved and how most people think of him today. I can think of any number of George Benson tunes I would have preferred (but thank you, oh thank you, for not using Breezin').



And why does this collection stop in 2001 with a recording by Bill Frisell? Did jazz guitar stop evolving five years ago?



On the plus side there are many artists I was not familiar with that are/were great players and I'm happy to get a taste so I can go explore further. Jimmy Raney and Hank Garland are not in my current collection but their recordings here make me want more. My favorite run on the collection is the last six or seven songs on Disc 2 (see Amazon's list for songs), which I play over and over and over, except it must be in the car as I drive to work because my wife doesn't have quite the same appreciation as me.



After listening to the entire set of 4 discs about 6 times, I have zoomed in on about a third of the songs that I really enjoy listening to, a third that are fine for historical significance but don't really do it for me, and a third that I just don't need to hear again.



The collection is well worth the price, and the included booklet (it's not just a pamphlet, it's really a small book) with notes about all the artists is a keeper all by itself.



I will be posting a more detailed review of individual songs on my web site at www.seigle.net/100years.html, check back around Jan 23, 2006."

Dissapointed !!

Dave Livingstone | new york, usa | 11/28/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a fan of the jazz guitar since elementary school, and I own a fairly substantial collection that spans several decades. When I first learned of this new release I was very excited.I purchased my copy thru' amazon - almost purchased 4 additional copies for holiday gifts, but the wife stopped me- and started listening to it the moment it arrived.

I was impressed with the packaging as well as the layout/background information on the featured players. I was however extremely dissatisfied with the selections. I do not know what the inclusion criteria are for the works that were featured, but almost all the guitarists featured had more wellknown , and in my opinion, better work than that which was highlighted. Larry Carlton, Pat Metheny, George Benson, Phil Upchurch - all these guys had way better stuff that could have been included.Maybe the featured work appeals to Jazz musicians or aficinados, but for a regular listener/customer it falls short."

Jazz Guitar Paradise!

John Kurland | Naperville, Illinois USA | 11/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jazz guitar has been a hobby of mine for too many years to count. I was esecially influenced by Johnny Smith, Tal Farlow, Joe Pass, you know, the lush hollowbody humbucker tones and "cascading riffs." Many of the pre-Charlie Christian players were those i had read about but never listened to.

That being said. this is THE BEST anthology someone like me could want. It doesn't matter how many records by any of these players you may have, hearing the "history" of the jazz guitar as clear as these CDs sound and grouped as they are is a joy. BUY THIS NOW!

"