Joe Pass - Virtuoso

Stormcrow · July-10th-2003, 09:32 PM

As I am listening to this, I am thinking, "Wow! This guy must have 20 fingers-- on each hand!" ;-)

I have admired Joe Pass's work in his collaborations with the great vocalist (Ella, Sarah, Carmen, etc.), but this is the first album I have heard of him as a leader (or in this case, a soloist.) And I really liked it. All of the tracks showcase his amazing talent, but in particular I thought that "How High the Moon" was mind-blowing.

Tanager · July-11th-2003, 06:44 PM

I prefer Pass w/o a vocalist, but I know you love vocalists, so...

Pass is a monster, and this is probably his magnum opus. Great disk, well worth exploring repeatedly.

Stormcrow · July-11th-2003, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tanager
I prefer Pass w/o a vocalist, but I know you love vocalists, so...

Pass is a monster, and this is probably his magnum opus. Great disk, well worth exploring repeatedly.

I didn't say I never liked him before without a vocalist... I'm just saying tht's really the only I had ever heard him before checking out this disc.

And, yes, I agree, he is a monster. ;-)

ormsbop · July-11th-2003, 11:00 PM

Nice choice, Theophilus. that is a really good guitar album. Maybe even a classic.

I would avoid Virtuoso volume 2 though. Modern tunes like Giant Steps, 500 Miles High just didn't work well with that style of playing IMO. I haven't heard the other volumes.

My favorite Pass work so far is his pre-Virtuoso days: "The Complete Catch Me Sessions" which was released back in the 80s by Blue Note. Unfortunately it still hasnt been released on CD that I'm aware of. What's up with that?

And speaking of monsters, there was this guy named Lenny Breau...

willy · July-12th-2003, 02:26 PM

Virtuoso is a must have. And ORMSBOP is right. Lenny Breau was a monster who doesn't get the recognition he deserves. After buying Cabin Fever (my first Breau CD) he became a favorite. Amazing technique, yet also played so beautifully. Sometimes when I hear him play pretty on acoustic I think of what Bill Evans would have sounded like if he played guitar instead of piano.

Grub · July-17th-2003, 05:11 AM

Virtuso 3 's as good as 1. other great JP albums - all his stuff with NHO Pedersen esp Chops. Live at Montreux 1975, For Django, Songs for Ellen, Live at Yoshi and Summer Nights.

James Lee · August-5th-2003, 01:47 AM

Must say the 2-disc set Virtuoso #4 is my favorite. There is a special charm to listening to Joe play acoustic guitar, with his heavy breathing (and foot tapping) audible in the background. You can just picture him playing with that funky slim cigar dangling from his lips!

Noj · August-5th-2003, 11:47 AM

I really enjoy the Virtuoso albums as well. I also dig his work with Gerald Wilson, and definitely will be on the look out for more.

Chazro · August-6th-2003, 10:30 AM

If I recall correctly, Virtuoso 1 is all acoustic guitar. An amazing album, a favorite.

Stormcrow · August-6th-2003, 11:47 AM

WAH! The disk went back to the library.

Oh well. I've put all of the Virtuoso albums on my "to-get" list... but since BMG doesn't carry them it'll probably be a while before I get them all.

James Lee · August-6th-2003, 11:36 PM

Chazro --- the record you refer to (titled Virtuoso) actually has one electric piece --- "Here's That Rainy Day." I always thought it interesting that Joe inserted that one electric guitar piece on an otherwise all-acoustic session.

Theophilus ---- just went to half.com and many of the titles we're speaking of are available there now. Dig in!

Stormcrow · August-7th-2003, 07:08 PM

Maybe joe thought electric suited that particular song better.

BelaFlecktoner · August-19th-2003, 09:53 PM

I'm jazz guitarist myself so I'm always looking for new things. My guitar teacher played with Joe Pass when he was young so he reccomended me listening to some of Pass's work. Virtuoso is incredible. I do prefer some of his live stuff better but he is one of my all-time favorite guitar players.

Pete C · August-19th-2003, 11:58 PM

I never knew Pass's work very well until I signed up for e-music and downloaded a shitload. Blows me away.

Pass fans should not pass on this dvd,

Available from http://guitarvideos.com/

clinthopson · August-26th-2003, 11:41 AM

Joe Pass is my favorite guitarist. The Virtuoso set is outstanding.

A couple of his discs which find very appealing are "Summer Nights" and "Appasionato." They have a bit of the HQF feeling to them.

I have a nice memory of Joe. In 1985 we saw Joe at Ronnie Scotts. He held us spell bound with his unaccompanied playing. Donna said "Outside of Segovia, Joe is the only guitarist I've ever heard who doesn't cheat." DOnna played classical guitar for several years so I respect her opinion. At the end of the first set, Joe and I found ourselves in the lobby firing up Habanas and discussing life on the road.

Here's to Giuseppi Passacaglia!

solfeggio · August-30th-2003, 02:16 PM

Excellent Joe Pass recording.