Johnny Smith - Legends: Solo Guitar Performances

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:03
Size: 146,7 MB
Art: Front

(2:20)  1. I'm Old Fashioned
(2:07)  2. Macho's Lullaby
(2:47)  3. 'Round Midnight
(1:30)  4. Wally's Waltz
(2:28)  5. Black, Black, Black
(3:02)  6. Golden Earrings
(1:33)  7. Romance De Los Pinos
(3:01)  8. Norteña
(2:12)  9. Maid With The Flaxen Hair
(2:33) 10. Waltz
(3:55) 11. The Old Castle
(4:17) 12. Sevilla
(2:21) 13. Cheek To Cheek
(4:15) 14. A Foggy Day
(1:12) 15. Tangerine
(2:19) 16. Sunny
(1:23) 17. Why Was I Born?
(2:36) 18. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
(5:22) 19. Tea For Two
(4:32) 20. The Man I Love
(1:42) 21. For You
(2:04) 22. I Hadn't Anyone Till You
(2:22) 23. I Could Write A Book

Despite the impression one could reasonably get from the cover of this reissue, these two guitar legends do not perform together, unfortunately. The next best thing are these solo sessions recorded almost 20 years apart. The first 12 items on the play list belong to Smith and capture his tasteful, clean sound coupled with complex chordal voices, which helped Smith in his adventures with playing classical compositions, including for the fabled Arturo Toscanini. Cuts that remind the listener of Smith's occasional classical foray include "Romance de los Pinos," "The Old Castle," and "Maid With the Flaxen Hair." But Smith was no slouch with constructing unique renditions of popular music. In 1952, teaming with Stan Getz, he made one of the best-selling jazz recordings of all times, "Moonlight in Vermont," which still sold well 50 years later. Van Eps was the master of the seven-string guitar, which allowed him to play his own basslines, well demonstrated on such cuts as "Tea for Two." The 11 pieces assigned to Van Eps reveal a predilection for highly rhythmic versions of well-known pop classics. Perhaps not as multi-faceted as Smith, he nonetheless had a fully developed style that approached the depth and complexity of Smith's. This can be heard on such cuts as "I Hadn't Anyone Till You" and "A Foggy Day." Besides which, he could and did swing. Although sideman on many a session, Van Eps left behind a relatively meager discography as a leader. These solo offerings are among his best. Although the styles of these two guitarists may go down different paths, their excellent technical skills, fully elevated imagination, and sensitivity to what they play clearly establish them among the elite of guitar players, true legends indeed. Recommended. ~ Dave Nathan https://www.allmusic.com/album/legends-solo-guitar-performances-mw0000118935

Personnel:  Guitar – George Van Eps (tracks: 13 1o 23), Johnny Smith (tracks: 1 to 12).

Legends:Solo Guitar Performances

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George Van Eps & Howard Alden - Keepin' Time

Styles:  Guitar Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:53
Size: 133,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:29)  1. Blue Skies
(6:31)  2. Satin Doll
(6:47)  3. It Had To Be You
(5:04)  4. Body And Soul
(5:24)  5. How High The Moon
(2:17)  6. Honeysuckle Rose
(5:30)  7. I Cover The Waterfront
(2:27)  8. The Chant
(5:28)  9. Willow Weep For Me
(4:05) 10. Kay's Fantasy
(5:26) 11. More Than You Know
(4:21) 12. I Got Rhythm

Guitarists George Van Eps (a veteran of the 1930's) and Howard Alden (36 at the time of this recording) had made three prior CD's before cutting a fine quartet date with bassist Michael Moore and drummer Jake Hanna. The two guitarists can easily be told apart for Van Eps (the inventor of the seven-string guitar) plays some of the most beautiful chords in the world while Alden often contributes single-note solos. Highlights of the disc include Alden's two renditions of Van Eps songs ("The Chant" and "Kay's Fantasy"), Van Eps' two features and such swing standards as "Blue Skies," "How High The Moon," "I Cover The Waterfront" and a duet rendition of "More Than You Know." All of the music is quite relaxed (with nothing over a slow-medium pace) but has plenty of inner fire. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/keepin-time-mw0000188555

Personnel: George Van Eps, Howard Alden (7-string guitar); Michael Moore (bass); Jake Hanna (drums).

Keepin' Time

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George Van Eps & Howard Alden - Hand-Crafted Swing

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:26
Size: 140,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:11)  1. Stompin' At The Savoy
(4:15)  2. What's New
(4:12)  3. It's Wonderful
(2:33)  4. Lap Piano
(4:37)  5. I could Write A Book
(3:35)  6. Tenderly
(5:14)  7. Can't We Be Friends
(4:17)  8. Lil'l Darlin'
(6:26)  9. Just In Time
(6:10) 10. The Nearness Of You
(1:17) 11. Forty-Eight
(4:52) 12. I've Got A Crush On You
(4:57) 13. All The things You Are
(4:46) 14. Moonglow

This is the second of four CDs featuring George Van Eps (still at the top of his game at age 77), the pioneer of the seven-string electric guitar, with Howard Alden (just 32 at the time of these recordings), one of the most gifted guitarists of his generation, along with bassist Dave Stone and drummer Jake Hanna (who sticks to brushes when present). The interaction between the two players is similar to that of two old friends who have performed together countless times; lyricism and effortless swing are the key ingredients throughout the sessions. The focus is primarily upon standards of the 1930s and 1940s, including show tunes like "All the Things You Are," "I Could Write a Book," and "The Nearness of You," as well as jazz classics such as "What's New," "Stompin' at the Savoy," and "Lil' Darlin'." 

Van Eps also wrote two of the songs, "Lap Piano" and "Forty-Eight," both of which are miniatures featuring the veteran unaccompanied. The influence of Van Eps upon Alden can't be underestimated, as the younger guitarist was having a seven-string electric guitar built for him while these sessions were in progress, so by the time of their next meeting in the studio he could also take advantage of the musical possibilities of having the added bass string. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden   http://www.allmusic.com/album/hand-crafted-swing-mw0000083163.

Personnel: Howard Alden (guitar), George Van Eps (guitar), Dave Stone (bass), Jake Henna (drums).

Hand-Crafted Swing

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