Rodney Jones The Undiscovered Few Genre:Jazz Rodney Jones is a veteran guitarist who plays in the house band for Rosie O'Donnell's television show and has served as musical director for Ruth Brown and Lena Horne. But on his Blue Note debut (and fourth CD as a leader)... more », his estimable writing and arranging skills aren't as reliable as his prior outings. Some tunes fudge the fine line between stark beauty and banality ("Dreamers in Love" and the cello-guitar duet "Through the Eyes of a Child"), some are ambitiously multitextured but lack cohesion and momentum (the Ornettish "The Message" and the Mingusian "Circus Wheel"), and too many simply fade out in lieu of any ensemble resolution. But Jones's warm tone and liquid phrases pleasantly recall George Benson on "Tradewinds," and the sprightly horn riffage on "Oliver & Thad" (as in Nelson and Jones, respectively) is an appropriate homage to those big-band arrangers. "Lesson Time" is a fleet but still funky toe-tapper, and the standard "My Favorite Things" is given an innovative arrangement that retains its sense of joyful blossoming. The youthful pianist Shedrick Mitchell is especially noteworthy among Jones's core ensemble, and trumpeter Tim Hagans blows with riveting ferocity on his cameo. --Britt Robson« less
Rodney Jones is a veteran guitarist who plays in the house band for Rosie O'Donnell's television show and has served as musical director for Ruth Brown and Lena Horne. But on his Blue Note debut (and fourth CD as a leader), his estimable writing and arranging skills aren't as reliable as his prior outings. Some tunes fudge the fine line between stark beauty and banality ("Dreamers in Love" and the cello-guitar duet "Through the Eyes of a Child"), some are ambitiously multitextured but lack cohesion and momentum (the Ornettish "The Message" and the Mingusian "Circus Wheel"), and too many simply fade out in lieu of any ensemble resolution. But Jones's warm tone and liquid phrases pleasantly recall George Benson on "Tradewinds," and the sprightly horn riffage on "Oliver & Thad" (as in Nelson and Jones, respectively) is an appropriate homage to those big-band arrangers. "Lesson Time" is a fleet but still funky toe-tapper, and the standard "My Favorite Things" is given an innovative arrangement that retains its sense of joyful blossoming. The youthful pianist Shedrick Mitchell is especially noteworthy among Jones's core ensemble, and trumpeter Tim Hagans blows with riveting ferocity on his cameo. --Britt Robson
"Rodney is an accomplished guitarist who can play any genre of music. His compositions and performances are second to non. I enjoy his Undiscovered Few album because it does justice to traditional and modern jazz. I esp. like how he takes his time on Light and Shadows. Get this CD you won't regret it."
Undiscovered Excellence
Neyetro | Atlanta, GA (Austell) | 09/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I came across this CD last year while stumbling through Amazon's new Jazz releases, and noticed this recording. After listening to the samples and reading about Mr. Jones I decided to order it. After my first listen I was completely blown away by the depths and beauty of Jones' guitar playing. I now cannot remove this CD from my changer. Jones, in my view, is probably one of the most promising and complete young guitarist practicing the art form of Jazz today. Pick this one up and get "The Message"(track 8)."
Undiscovered Genius
rob920@email.msn | New York, USA | 04/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD has to be one of best in recent years. Rodney plays with effortless clarity and precision. He also shows himself to be a most resourceful and creative composer. Its great to see him recording for such a great and historic label like Blue Note. Hopefully, this is just the first of future masterpieces to follow for this under recorded (as a leader) genius."
The best guitarist EVER
Michael Aarons (maarons@aol.com) | New York, NY | 10/14/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you haven't checked out Rodney Jones by now, you need to. This breakthrough recording showcases not only Rodney's trend-setting ideas on the guitar through horn-like phrashing and Articulation, but truly beautiful numbers like "Tears of a forgotten Child" and "Through The Eyes of a Child". Rodney is a multi-faceted musician who has always proven to be the greatest, but thank God that all of his ideas, spiritually and musically have finally been captured onto an audio recording."