Guitar player thread

[cookie]

I love guitar music. My mentor is a guitarist. Currently, I'm enamored with Peter Leitch's playing. I like his latest project BLUES ON THE CORNER. I like the way he incorporated Kendra Shank's voice as an instrument. Really hip and smart.

I also like more way out original funky guys like Wayne Krantz. Does he have other discs besides TWO DRINK MINIMUM?

Other favorites inclue Kenny Burrell, Pat Metheny, Gene Bertoncini, Jon Stowell, Bill Frisell, Mike Stern, Steve Brown (of course, he's the mentor), Peter Bernstein and...gee...I don't know. I like just about any guitarist who can play what he/she hears on that instrument.

Rave about guitar and guitarists!

[Lois Gilbert]

Hey Cookie

When you get back down to NYC

Peter Leitch plays in duo every Sunday at a place callled Walker's. I met Pete C and Tom Storer there. The food is plentiful and reasonable, and the duos esp, with Gary Bartz or Steve Wilson or Bobby Watson really make you sing (with no cover charge)

http://peterleitch.com/index2.html

[Henry Mars]

I like a lot of guitar players. Over the years my tastes change in cycles. Right now I am back on a Johnny Smith kick.
I really hate it when guitar players over play ... a lot of them don't have any idea of the actual range they are playing in and get in the way. That is another story though.
I have been listening to Jim Hall, Jimmy Bruno, and Howard Alden a lot too.
There are so many great guitar players these days .... where do you start?

[cookie]

Hi, Lois--
Yeah, the Sunday at Walker's is something I want to make it to. Peter is kind enough to keep me on his mailing list so I've been thinking about it. Besides being a wonderful person, he's a terrific photograper, too. He gave me a postcard print of his photo of Bertha Hope. It's a treasured possession. Anyway, thanks for bringing up that Walker's gig and the link to Peter's page. He's a real tasty player.

Henry, I love Jim Hall and Howard Alden too. I don't know of Jimmy Bruno so that's someone I need to look for.

Let's not forget Tal Farlow on this thread either.

[Henry Mars]

Cookie, Tal was the guy that got me into jazz when I was aroud 8 years old. Once I heard him play I was hooked for life.

[gnhrtg]

Hmm I surely thought that I had posted a reply here but it seems as if it's gone (or I mis-posted it somewhere).

It was a little lengthier but in a nutshell: Be sure to hear Jimmy Bruno if you are at all interested in furious bop playing. His "Live at Birdland" (w/Bobby Watson) would be my first recommendation to someone who plays the guitar since you can see how he holds his ground even when playing with a Bobby Watson. "Au privave" is pure joy, as are many other tunes on the disc.

Another guy I like is Wolfgang Muthspiel, who is more close to new stuff and maybe Pat Methenym, than bop. In case you are interested, he has a trio album on Quinton records - where you can basically listen to the whole album through a generous jukebox. I have one album by Quinton so far, but I really really like the recorded sound on that.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Have you heard the CD's by Bill Conners: Theme to the Gaurdian or Of Mist and Melting? Whew...beautiful, spacious, pretty incredible.

[Dr Dave]

Awww...Cookie:

Peter Bernstein. His work with Josh Redman (Freedom in the Groove) is criminally underrated.

Russell Malone. Diana Krall may have her failings, but she knows what makes a good jazz guitarist. I still love "Black Butterfly."

Pete Cosey. His opening solo on Miles's Agartha was the first true integration of Jimi Hendrix into the jazz world.

Mick Goodrick. I saw him with Jack DeJohnette many years back, and it took me a while to realize there was no keyboard player. 'Nuff said.

John Scofield. His early work with Steve Swallow and Adam Nussbaum still sounds fresh to me; check out "Holidays" on Out Like A Light (Enja) and tell me I'm wrong.

The late Jimmy Raney. Words fail me. Listen to "But Beautiful" or "Wisteria" (Criss Cross) and tell me he isn't the true ultimate distillation of bebop guitar.

The late Emily Remler. I'd say "Catwalk" is a great introduction to the work of this amazing composer/improviser, although on "East To Wes" she proved her bebop chops and on the heartbreakingly-titled posthumous "This Is Me" you can hear her shake off the chains of mainstream jazz and find her true heart. Her death at age 31 was a serious loss.

The late Tal Farlow. Find a copy of "Poppin' and Burnin'" and listen to one of the great innovators from the 1950s.

John McLaughlin. You could say this is an obvious choice, but the great polymath of jazz guitar has had some superior moments. I highly recommend his work on Miles's "Live/Evil, where he runs with some very fast company and is inspired to great inventiveness.

Wes Montgomery. What can you say? "Full House" says it all, with Johnny Griffin providing inspiration and ballast.

George Benson. Just typing the name makes me wonder where the hell Conan Nado is. There are dozens of collections of Benson's work on Columbia in the '60s. "Blue Benson" is a personal favorite; it's the first session on which we hear him sing ("That Lucky Old Sun') and his band, featuring Herbie Hancock and Billy Cobham, is up for his every move. Yes, he went on to record "On Broadway" and etc., but he could always play. ALWAYS.

[cookie]

This is great, guys! Thanks, keep it comin'. Dr. Dave: FULL HOUSE is one of those records I just keep coming back to again and again. And thanks a million for remembering the great Emily Remler.

Let not Grant Green go unrecognized. Don't think he's been mentioned yet.

Anybody heard of a friend of mine named Jeff Barone? He just released his first disc. The cat can play.

So many names here that I don't know, too!

FOUR ON SIX, BABEE!

Can anyone think of anyone in jazz who plays 12 string guitar as a major axe? Just curious. How about players who use alternate tunings?

[Jason G]

Cookie,

If you enjoy Long To Be Loose, there's a good possibility you'll also like this one:

The Outsidemen - Band Overboard

Mike Miller - guitar
Ralph Humphrey - drums
Jim Lacefield - bass

[Henry Mars]

Actually Cookie ... right now my main axe is an ES335 electric 12 string. That aside, Pat Martino .... Desperado comes to mind for electric 12. Pat Metheny also was using a 12 string for a while.

[Ed Swinnich]

Sonny Greenwich is a personal favorite of mine. I've caught him several times over the years at the Montreal Jazz Festival. Fabulous guitarist, especially live. His music is so intense, almost spiritual in a John Coltrane way. The solos just build and build in intensity, then he gradually takes you back down.

Another of my favorites whom I do not think was mentioned is John Abercrombie. I've been a fan of his since his earliest ECM material. I really enjoy his organ trio stuff as well as the Gateway material. I like his recent work with Charles Lloyd as well.

Most of my other favorites have been mentioned - Jimmy Raney, Jim Hall, Grant Green, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Pat Martino. I really dig Peter Bernstein's work on the couple of Sam Yahel discs I own.

A couple of lesser mentioned guitarists that I enjoy are Sal Salvador, Billy Bauer, and Lou Mecca.

Of a more recent vintage, I when I'm in the mood, I dig Ronny Jordan, Rodney Jones, Charlie Hunter and even Paul Jackson Jr.

Oh yeah, I've become a big fan of Django Reinhardt over the past couple of years. In the same vein, I've been checking out Eddie Lang thanks to the Mosaic. I've got the Venuti/Lang Mosaic on right now.

Speaking of Mosaics, the Johnny Smith is on my short list.

[cookie]

Yeah! I'm listening to Kenny Burrell live at the Vanguard from 1978 playing "Pent Up House."

Ed Swinnich: big ups to Django. Never forget. Je me souviens. (or something like that).

I also love Pat Martino. And Larry Coryell.

Pat's so amazing. The comeback kid, man.

Barney Kessell anyone?

[Jazzooo]

Wow, Jason--a mention of my new guitar hero, Mike Miller! I was fortunate enough to have Mike on my 2001 album, and he was superb. Have you heard his solo debut, Save The Moon? Not a lot of pyrotechnics, but cool writing and textures and killer playing all the same.

Cookie--Krantz's Two Drink Minimum is a favorite of mine. His subsequent albums are pretty interesting but don't hang together as well for me. Also--if you're open to Krantz's energy, check out John McGlaughlin in his trio work with Joey Defrancesco and Dennis Chambers. Both swinging and rockin'!

[Jason G]

Haven't heard it yet, Doug, but I'll be sure to check it out along with your 2001 CD.

Have you had the opportunity to hear Band Overboard? I have a strong feeling you'd like it as well.

[Tom Storer]

Let us not forget Joe Pass!

An up-and-coming guitarist I particularly enjoy is Adam Rogers.

[stonemonkts]

Marc Ribot is rarely mentioned but someone I've been digging since his days with Tom Waits. I like his playing on "Saints", his work with Zorn, but not wild about his Prosthetic Cubans project (although the first track on the CD of the same name is beautiful).

Derek Bailey, of course. "Ballads" is a real gem, although certainly not typical for him. Any opinions of "Sign of Four"? Seems to be HATED by AMG (Yannow), and have read some vehement reviews elsewhere as well. Anyone here care to share their impressions?

Grant Green is a favorite, as well as Django, John Abercrombie, Metheny (thinking of stuff such as his work on Garrett's "Pursuance", Burton's "Like Minds", Haden/Metheny's "Beyond The Missouri Sky"), and Joe Morris!

[Tanager]

There are just so many good guitar players out there - personal faves are Tal Farlow, Hank Garland, Jimmy Bryant, George Benson (highly underrated, since, as a previous poster noted, most people just think of his commercial crap - but he can play the daylights out of a guitar), Pat Martino, Brad Shepik, John Scofield, Pat Metheny...Herb Ellis, Joe Pass, Barney Kessel...ugh, there are just a lot of really oustanding players.

I like McLaughlin, but his post-Mahavishnu stuff didn't really do it for me. Maybe I'm just missing something. I never really got into Mike Stern or Kazumi Watanabe, although I own albums by both.

[Dr Dave]

Gene Bertoncini, Bucky Pizzarelli, Chuck Wayne, Joe Puma...

[hornplayer]

"Russell Malone. Diana Krall may have her failings, but she knows what makes a good jazz guitarist. I still love "Black Butterfly."

Couldn't resist this one, Dr. Dave! Don't you like ANYTHING Russell's done on his own SINCE Black Butterfly? It may be the *seminal* album, so to speak, but that was more than 10 years ago! You really ought to check out his newer stuff.

[Peterdubya]

The late Lenny Breau, whoa. He played 'fingerstyle' would get a bass line, chords and a melody going all at once. An incredible player. Guitarchives is a label started by Randy Bachman, they have issued a bunch of his stuff posthumously.

[cookie]

Yeah, Lenny Breau. Thanks for the remembrance. He was very influential on musicians in Maine through his work with Brad Terry. Think I'll listen to THE LIVING ROOM TAPES again.

Right now I'm listening to SWEET GEORGIA PEACH by Russell Malone. It sounds real nice to these ears!

This thread is giving me excuses to go back and listen to the guitar records I have. Also giving me a good list on what I need to buy.

How about Ed Bickert?

[Reid]

He's pretty out there, but I like what I've heard from Masayuki Takayanagi. I also love what I've heard from Keiji Haino (but he's not a "jazz" guitarist).

[Jason G]

Tanager -- Stern's Between The Lines was my first introduction to fusion six years ago. Although I have most of his output and enjoy a good bit of it, his solos have begun to sound recycled to these ears. A fine player, indeed, but I've slowly lost interest over the years.

[Tanager]

Jason, that's true of *lots* of so-called fusion players for my ears. Not all, by any stretch, but lots.

[mjb]

A resounding "yes" to Ed Bickert ... I ran into him at a David Occhipinti (another terrific Canadian guitar player http://www.davidocchipinti.com/) set at the Montreal Bistro last year. I love Third Floor Richard and Paul Desmond Quartet Live.

Also, John Abercrombie, Mick Goodrick, Jeff Beck swings so hard I must mention him. Veering OT a bit, I recommend Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Richard Thompson. Back on T ... "Grace Under Pressure" with Sco and Bill Frisell is a wonder.

[Ed Swinnich]

Nguyen Le

[Ed Swinnich]

Also have to give props to Joe Pass. I forgot him on my first list, but I think Tom mentioned his name. Another of my favorites and dare I say, another "discovery" made thanks to Mosaic.

Philip Catherine is another guitarist I enjoy.

A couple more names popped in my head - Ralph Towner, Terje Rypdal. The ECM sound is one that I've really come to appreciate over the years.

[willy]

"Jeff Beck swings so hard I must mention him"


Beck is one of my favorite guitarists (I've been playing guitar for 20 years now). His CDs as of late have been crap (IMO), but his best playing is as good as it gets.

Glad to see Lenny Breau mentioned as well. He plays so beautifully. I've played the "Cabin Fever" CD so many times I can listen to it in my head anytime I care to. I also love the "Standard Brands" CD with Breau and Chet Atkins, who was a genius on the guitar.

[mjb]

Originally posted by willy
Beck is one of my favorite guitarists (I've been playing for 20 years now). His CDs as of late have been crap (IMO), but his best playing is as good as it gets.

Each to his own of course Willy but I really don't believe that either of "Who Else" or "You Had it Coming" constitute crap.