Guitar Album Reviews
Kenny Poole - For George: Tribute to a MasterIntended to be a birthday present for his hero, George Van Eps, guitarist Kenny Poole sadly never got the chance to let his mentor and idol hear his gift, as the elderly pioneer of 7-string jazz guitar playing passed away before the project was completed. Which is a shame, because Poole has created an album that Van Eps certainly would have been delighted to hear. His solo guitar work on ten of the album's fifteen tracks on "For George" is altogher stunning; illustrating an absolute mastery of traditional chordal playing. Poole often also incorporates walking bass lines into his playing, utilizing his low 7th string for added bottom end. The additional five tracks include drummer John Von Ohlen and vibraphonist Dick Sisto, both of whom accompany Poole amiably (perhaps a shade too much so). A friendly recording without any rough edges or sharp corners to speak of, "For George" will delight fans of traditional jazz guitar playing.
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Andre Bush - Invisible City
Keep your eye on Fresno-native guitarist Andre Bush, whose most recent CD "Invisible City" (Odd Culture Productions) illustrates not only his remarkable innovation as an improviser, but also his compositional prowess. A professional career spanning many musical genres (Bush played as part of Sarah McLachlan's hugely popular 1998 Lilith Fair tour) has given Bush a very unique perspective on music, all of which he gamely pores into "Invisible City", his second recording as a leader. Bush's compositions stand in stark contrast to the standard AABA format songs still largely popular within the jazz community. Many of the songs themselves are very complex; with varying sections of different rhythmic meters, that often open into modal vamps for improvisation. The gentle "Soulmates" subtly belies the influence of Pat Metheny's writing on the younger guitarist, who colors the music with careful, well-reasoned lines. Bush's recruiting of pianist Jack Perla allows for a wider contrast of sound than would be available on a a guitar-only recording. The addition of the ever-aggressive guest soprano saxophonist David Liebman makes the resulting recording even more enjoyable. Highly reccomended.
Robert Jr. Lockwood - Just the Blues
One of the very few living connections to Robert Johnson, guitarist Robert Jr. Lockwood (b. 1915) learned to play the guitar with the help of the legend, who was romantically involved with Lockwood's mother. Despite such monumentous beginnings, Lockwood has refused to dwell on the past, and continually looks forward as a musician. Compiled from two early 1980's recordings with Johny Shines, "Just the Blues" is an eccentric exploration into the blues genre, decorated with Lockwood's 12-string guitar work, which is a very unique conglomoration of both traditional jazz and blues languages. The guitarist manages to maintain a very traditional approach to the blues, while still incorporating the influence of the great swing guitarists. The four duets with Shines are some of the most enjoyable moments of "Just the Blues".
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Paxton
On his debut self-titled recording, the singer/songwriter known only as Paxton has created an album that is both bleak and humourous. Paxton's writing style pulls no punches; subltly or innuendo are not terms the songwriter is familiar with. Much of the writing appears to be intensely autobiographical; including an open song written to an absent father, another about struggles with sexual identity, and a diatribe on the harsh realities of the music industry. None of the songs on "Paxton" are particularly melodically intriguing, but that is beside the point; the focus here is on tough, honest lyrical content that fans of writers like Lou Reed will surely enjoy.
Paxton at Borders.com
