John Basile, John Abercrombie - Animations

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:12
Size: 120,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:58)  1. Sweet and Lovely
(1:44)  2. Paws
(6:37)  3. Nobody Else But Me
(7:12)  4. Under The Influence
(6:03)  5. Animations
(5:30)  6. Angel Falls
(4:59)  7. Peace
(3:40)  8. Short Cut
(4:34)  9. The Lilter
(2:24) 10. Desert Storm
(2:28) 11. Dreamsville

When done properly, it’s astounding how much music a duet can generate. It is always especially notable when that duet consists of artists performing on the same instrument. In such a setting, the challenge of blending voices while simultaneously creating distinct, personal lines becomes that much more challenging. Guitarists John Basile and John Abercrombie recently recorded just such a duet, rising masterfully to the occasion.  Comprised of eleven tracks including both original compositions and covers, Animations will without doubt appeal to jazz guitar fans, but it offers something as well to those looking for a subtle, intelligent, and gracefully balanced musical outing. Both instrumentalists are quite capable as individuals, and here they show not only a common bond, but also an uncommon ability to converse together fluidly. Well matched, Basile and Abercrombie integrate their ideas masterfully, gently shifting one another into new territory as they explore each tune. Marked by a certain conservatism, neither player plunges too far toward any one stylistic extreme, relying on shading and delicacy to create a steadfastly reserved, mellow tone throughout the album. This approach works particularly well on such pieces as Horace Silver’s “Peace” and the melancholic “Desert Storm.” This quiet, focused tune stands out as an album highlight, revealing well each musicians capacities. A very sedate album, Animations covers a subtly executed and decidedly dignified musical terrain.~ Franz A.Matzner https://www.allaboutjazz.com/animations-john-basile-underhill-jazz-review-by-franz-a-matzner.php

Personnel: John Basile: Guitar;  John Abercrombie: Guitar

Animations

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John Basile - Outside/In

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:50
Size: 100.4 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2018
Art: Front

[4:22] 1. Soldiers Field
[2:48] 2. Bolera
[3:46] 3. Fatback
[3:58] 4. All Three Judges
[4:14] 5. Its Probably Me
[4:30] 6. Bugs
[4:08] 7. Camelot
[4:05] 8. Over And Over
[3:36] 9. Cory's Dimemma
[4:44] 10. Stuffit
[3:33] 11. Outdide In

When asked about his most important influences, the first two names he mentions are not other guitar players; Frank Sinatra heads the list and then Bill Evans. Perhaps this explains why John Basile is one of a select group of jazz instrumentalists who doesn’t sound like everyone else. Musically, his guitar style utilizes a finger-style technique that approaches the guitar like a piano. For John, the challenge of comping harmonic chord fragments and playing melodies simultaneously provides a backdrop for a more open style of playing and improvising. John's latest in 2018 is a collection of eclectic originals entitled "Outside/In".

Outside/In mc
Outside/In zippy

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John Basile - Amplitudes

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:34
Size: 115.8 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[4:06] 1. Ralph's Piano Waltz
[4:17] 2. You're As Right As Rain
[3:47] 3. I've Told Every Little Star
[4:18] 4. My Funny Valentine
[3:49] 5. Moon River
[4:48] 6. Stolen Moments
[5:09] 7. It's Nice To Be With You
[4:22] 8. Celeste
[3:54] 9. Fotographia
[5:28] 10. Homesick
[4:03] 11. First Row
[2:29] 12. Some Other Time

Is it possible to overstate John Basile’s flair for the understated? Odds are fans of melodically alluring jazz guitar will be tempted to do just that after giving Amplitudes a spin. This collection of mostly pop and jazz standards is quiet testimony to Basile’s talent, taste and his autonomy, a solo recording that becomes more enjoyable with each listen. Granted, some of the tune choices aren’t exactly surprising-“Moon River,” “My Funny Valentine” and “Stolen Moments” make the cut-but no matter. Basile’s renditions of even the most oft-performed favorites gathered here are unfailingly inventive, elegant and, in a few instances, sublime. Because he plays three guitars on the album that have distinctive sounds-steel- and nylon-string models-and employs multiple guitar tracks that often contrast picked melodies or improvisations with fingerstyle accompaniment, the arrangements are delightfully textured and woven.

Basile credits guitarist John Abercrombie for suggesting some distortion on a harmonically recast version of “My Funny Valentine,” and thanks guitarist Jim Hall and composer Jane Hall for providing the inspiration (and chordal propulsion) for another album highlight, “It’s Nice to Be With You.” The latter is followed by Ralph Towner’s haunting ballad “Celeste,” a melody that softly glows and shimmers, thanks to the artful finesse Basile displays on nylon-string guitar.

How this CD came to be is a curious story that involves Basile’s fascination with iPhone technology and his affection for pianist Bill Evans’ landmark recording Conversations With Myself. Suffice it to say that admirers of Evans won’t have any trouble hearing the connection. ~Mike Joyce

Amplitudes mc
Amplitudes zippy

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John Basile - Time Will Reveal

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:47
Size: 112,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:30)  1. Up Up and Away
(3:13)  2. Killer Joe
(4:35)  3. La Samba
(5:24)  4. Betcha By Golly Wow
(5:21)  5. Morning
(4:36)  6. Time Will Reveal
(5:55)  7. Superstar
(3:11)  8. Groovin'
(2:48)  9. Jordu
(4:43) 10. For the Love of You
(3:25) 11. Mambo Inn

Set aside, for a moment, the classic venues like the Montreux Jazz Festival and to truly appreciate jazz you have to understand it's not a form of music that was ever intended to be heard in the great outdoors and in football stadiums. To truly groove on jazz it should be listened to indoors. Preferably, in concert halls with superb acoustics and cozy clubs where the musicians can not only be seen, but heard. Which is where guys like John Basile comes in. It's not likely Basile is ever going to fill stadiums with thousands of rabidly enthusiastic fans who have traveled for miles and camped out for days just to hear the Boston-based guitarist play. That kind of mass hysteria is limited to dinosaur rock bands like The Rolling Stones lumbering through "Jumpin' Jack Flash" for the umpteenth time. Jazz thrives in the quiet, not the loud and so does John Basile. He plays in a smaller league where bombast and big sound is neither expected nor enjoyed. Basile is part of the overlooked and unappreciated group of pros going about the serious business of keeping the idiom alive. Basile's Time Will Reveal is a showcase for his deft and melodic guitar playing as he's supported by a group of savvy sidemen tight as a drumhead and a perfect compliment to his sensitive and supple performance on 11 compositions.

Basile and producer/bassist David Finck selected songs for Time Will Reveal that will instantly be familiar to anyone who listened to AM or FM radio from the '50s through to the '80s. In some ways when a musician covers well-known pop hits like The 5th Dimension's "Up, Up and Away" or The Isley Brothers "For the Love of You" they are opening themselves up to be compared unfavorably to the original. The listener who is familiar with the song being covered comes to the table with a certain anticipation of how faithful to the original the new interpretation should be. Too often producers treat covering pop tunes as an exercise for bored musicians to warm up over before tackling the "serious" music. Wisely, Finck's production avoids the trap of slavishly trying to recreate, note-by-note, Benny Golson's classic "Killer Joe," made popular by Quincy Jones and Duke Jordan's "Jordu," or suffocating the songs under a glob of strings, synthesizers, background vocals or lumbering solos. The music here is traditional jazz with the arrangements featuring acoustic instruments (drums, bass, vibes, piano) and Basile's genial guitar at the center. It's a delight to hear musicians respect the original material instead of trying to radically reinvent it. Time Will Reveal offers a fine showcase of Basile's facile and flowing guitar style and a tastefully restrained group of musicians playing expressively without embellishment. It's the kind of album that keeps sneaking back into your CD player.~ Jeff Winbush http://www.allaboutjazz.com/time-will-reveal-john-basile-underhill-jazz-review-by-jeff-winbush.php

Personnel: John Basile: guitars; David Finck: bass; Clint DeGanon: drums; Roger Squitero: percussion; Joe Locke: vibes; Bill O'Connell: piano; Barry Danielian: trumpet; Bob Mallach: tenor saxophone; Byron Olsen: piano (10); Jeff Kievit: trumpet (6).

Time Will Reveal

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Brad Terry, John Basile - Duo

Styles: Clarinet And Guitar Jazz

Year: 2009

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 55:04

Size: 126,9 MB

Art: Front

(5:13)  1. Everything I Love

(6:37)  2. Gentle Rain

(3:30)  3. Big Blues

(4:26)  4. Moon & Sand

(5:00)  5. Skylark

(4:28)  6. Beautiful Love

(7:19)  7. Sometime Ago

(4:57)  8. Where Are You

(5:08)  9. Night Has a Thousand Eyes

(5:00) 10. For All Time

(3:22) 11. Some Other Time

John Basile was born in the Boston area and began playing in local show bands and organ groups at an early age. He attended Berklee College of Music and graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music. Moving to NYC John has performed and recorded in a wide variety of formats both as a leader and a sideman. As an accompanist he has worked with Peggy Lee, Sylvia Syms, Rosemary Clooney, Mark Murphy, and Tony Bennett as well as live performances with contemporary instrumentalists George Mraz , Tom Harrell, John Abercrombie, and Red Mitchell to name just a few. Musically John's guitar style utilizes a finger-style technique that approaches the guitar like a piano. For John the challenge of comping chord fragments and playing melodies simultaneously provides a backdrop for a more open style of playing and improvising. When asked about his most important influences, the first two names he mentions are not other guitar players; Frank Sinatra heads the list and then Bill Evans. Perhaps this explains why John Basile is one of a select group of jazz instrumentalists who doesn’t sound like everyone else. Basile is also one of those rare players who still treasures songs. Not just the tunes, but the songs; musical and lyrical ideas combined in a way that creates a vibrant structure that invites interpretation.

Basile’s ability to ‘sing’ on the guitar is the result of a unique approach to the instrument. He uses a finger-style technique in which he plays the melody and at the same time accompanies himself with fragments of the harmony. The big five and six note chords that are normally strummed are replaced with choice two or three note percussive voicings. Most players, using a pick, strum a chord and then play a single line solo phrase followed by another chord and another solo phrase. Basile, using his fingers, plays both the solo line and the chords simultaneously. This style is similar to the right and left hands of a pianist. It is important to note that this is not something that Basile works out as part of an arrangement for any particular song. This is the language he speaks on the guitar to seek improvisational clarity as the goal.His latest release “No Apologies” returns to his roots and presents a soulful organ based collection of standards, originals, latin, and 70’s pop tunes. “ For this project we wanted to approach the music, choice of musicians , and conception totally from an organic (figuratively and literally) approach and work with material that I felt was complete in representing my personal experience in all styles of music over the years”.

“No Apologies” features the Pat Bianchi on the organ and Carmen Intorre on drums , two of the most exciting voices in jazz today. “ With a few 70’s pop tunes, straight ahead standards, a movie theme, a few originals, and some samba/latin grooves, we had a ball in creating a very complete musical menu that entertains from start to finish.” John entered the field of medical imaging as an MRI technologist and educator, opened numerous imaging centers in the NY area, and recently attained the advanced certification CRA (Certified Radiology Administrator). http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/johnbasile

Brad Terry (1937-) Is a jazz Clarinet-player and accomplished whistler. He has played with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Doc Cheatham, Buck Clayton, Red Mitchell, Buddy Tate, Elliot Zigman, Eddie Thompson, John Basile, Steve Grover and Lenny Breau. Brad has led Jazz workshops and clinics in many countries including the US and Poland. In recent years he has been active in touring and recording as a duo with Polish pianist Joachim Mencel. They can be heard together on the recordings "All About Spring" and "Live at Fort Andross".

The most recognized album featuring Brad Terry is "The Living Room Tapes" featuring his earlier work with legendary guitarist Lenny Breau. An interesting note is that Brad Terry is an accomplished and virtuoso whistler. An example of this unique talent is featured on "Blues for Carole" from these sessions. The duo can also be seen together on the DVD "Live At The Maine Festival" from Art of Life Records. He now lives in Bath, Maine and is active around that region. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Terry

Personnel:  Brad Terry: clarinet, whistling;  John Basile: acoustic & electric guitars, guitar synthesizer, drum program on "Some Other Time"

Duo

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John Basile - Penny Lane

Size: 112,2 MB
Time: 47:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Jazz Funk, Latin Jazz
Art: Front

01. Eleanor Rigby (4:56)
02. Fool On The Hill (4:00)
03. Penny Lane (4:45)
04. And I Love Her (4:25)
05. A Day In The Life (4:12)
06. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (4:53)
07. Here There And Everywhere (3:55)
08. I Want To Hold Your Hand (5:42)
09. Can't Buy Me Love (3:11)
10. Norwegian Wood (4:58)
11. In My Life (2:30)

On PENNY LANE The pop standard has been the jumping off point for jazz artists since jazz s birth. The formula is simple, but not easy. You stay true to the melody and you go where it takes you. But the Beatles? Yes, especially the Beatles. In John Basile s Penny Lane, the guitarist is honest to both of his project s masters. The iconic melodies of Lennon and McCartney and Harrison are given homage, not just simply run through as a starting point for some string gymnastics. They are there and they are honest. Yet, at the same time it is Basile s jazz guitar that let the classics breathe new air and come to life in this form. You hear it; actually you experience it, in the subtle and smooth Eleanor Rigby with its rich tones and lines that recall the original but with a fresh feel. In Norwegian Wood, Basile casts aside any doubt that he is first and foremost a jazz man, as he strays from the melody s path to where he lives. Where he goes, we can follow and the trip is rich and filled with the surprises that his art form promises. This is Basile s show from beginning to end. His guitar does what a jazz guitar has always done, but it also does all the things that today s technology allows for the instrument to do. Sure, the guitar playing is artful but so is the use of the instrument as a MIDI interface to create every sound on this project. Listen and try to remember that every note on this project has come through the guitar. You ll be lost in the music before you can ponder the wonders of digital potential and that s exactly how it should be. More interpretation than tribute, Penny Lane gives us a jazz project that does what the original American art form is supposed to do: it takes where we ve been and brings us someplace new all at the same time.
While Groups like Mike Pender's Searchers continue to perform, Genuine 60s Music will never die!

Penny Lane

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John Basile - No Apologies

Size: 127,5 MB
Time: 54:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Jazz: Guitar Jazz
Art: Front

01. S' Bout Time (5:11)
02. Stop Look Listen (To Your Heart) (4:27)
03. Everything I Love (3:23)
04. Where Are You (7:08)
05. Sideshow (5:13)
06. Perugia (5:26)
07. Unit Seven (3:20)
08. Cinema Paradiso (4:30)
09. For All Time (6:01)
10. Dream Dancing (4:51)
11. Summer Night (5:17)

When asked about his most important influences, the first two names he mentions are not other guitar players; Frank Sinatra heads the list and then Bill Evans. Perhaps this explains why John Basile is one of a select group of jazz instrumentalists who doesn’t sound like everyone else. He particularly likes to play in the duo and trio formats to exploit the intimacy those settings present for both player and listener.

Musically, his guitar style utilizes a finger-style technique that approaches the guitar like a piano. For John, the challenge of comping harmonic chord fragments and playing melodies simultaneously provides a backdrop for a more open style of playing and improvising.

His labels, Underhill Jazz and now StringTime Jazz, have produced five innovative and critically distinguished releases: "Amplitudes" - solo guitar improvisations; "No Apologies" - featuring Pat Bianchi on organ and Carmen Intorre on drums for a soulful organ trio with a modern approach to unique standards; "Time Will Reveal" - featuring Joe Locke on vibes and Bassist David Finck showcasing a modern jazz guitar approach to pop tunes; "Animations" – with John Ambercrombie in duo with Basile exploring the essence of string improvisations of standards and originals; and "It Was A Very Good Year" – an eclectic exploration of jazz, folk, and pop tunes featuring two trios.

Guitar icon Jim Hall says “John Basile’s playing has the essence of great jazz guitar: beautiful tone, marvelous swing, terrific technique, and excellent phrasing. You can’t ask for more!” Legendary guitarist, John Abercrombie hails “John’s new CD has one of the most appropriate titles! Great Playing, Great Tunes, Great Sound…"No Apologies" needed!”

John Basile is also a formidable, sought after educator and clinician, offering a variety of educational outreach programs to colleges and universities here and around the world. He also works in the field of radiology and manages a large Medical Group in the NY area and is an official with USA Boxing, officiating as a judge and referee in Golden Glove competitions throughout the NY area.
Personnel:
Nicole Yarling - vocals, violin; Joe Williams - vocals; David Siegel - piano; Jeff Grubbs- bass; John Yarling- drums; Henry Johnson - guitar.

No Apologies

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John Basile - Undercover

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:57
Size: 119,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:28)  1. After the Love Is Gone
(4:06)  2. If I Only Had a Brain
(3:58)  3. God Only Knows
(5:24)  4. Seconds Out
(4:35)  5. You Are Everything
(4:40)  6. You'll Never Get to Heaven
(4:35)  7. Caught Up in the Rapture
(3:38)  8. Pure Imagination
(3:45)  9. Break Up to Make Up
(4:36) 10. Walk On By
(4:22) 11. Didn't I Blow Your Mind (This Time)
(3:45) 12. A House Is Not a Home

Artist Notes: Recording cover tunes employs it’s own set of challenges in order to achieve any real lasting interpretation of the original. In the jazz context perhaps even more of a dilemma as many pop songs don’t contain sufficient harmonic material - the palette most jazz musicians rely on to allow for any meaningful improvisation. On “Undercover” we tried to glean material from the 70’s and early 80’s that offered up combinations of great melody and chord changes as well having the advantage of familiarity to the listener.We hope this collection captures a spirit of reflection but also looks ahead as a modern and contemporary statement both musically and technically.

Technical Notes: The advantages of recording guitars and MIDI tracks in Apple’s DAW Logic X provided both opportunity and challenges for this project.Multiple live guitars along with MIDI tr acks all programmed from the guitar represented the rhythm section. These tracks were married with drum/percussion loops and subsequent layers of live guitar improvisations. We hope the results reflect both the musical surprise and integrity evident in both an improvisational context combined with the magic of true 21st century digital recording software.~ John Basile http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/johnbasile2

Undercover

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John Basile - It Was A Very Good Year

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:52
Size: 135,1 MB
Art: Front

(6:18)  1. It Was A Very Good Year
(4:23)  2. Takin The Coltrane
(7:21)  3. Zingaro
(6:58)  4. Ralph's Piano Waltz
(6:37)  5. Baubles, Bangles And Beads
(4:51)  6. Countenance
(5:33)  7. Never Will Marry
(4:35)  8. One Long String
(3:40)  9. First Row
(3:42) 10. Catch Me
(4:48) 11. That Old Feeling

Guitarist John Basile has been cruising the sideman circuit for the past twenty years, in addition to releasing a handful of respected projects as leader. It Was a Very Good Year finds Mr. Basile with a new label boasting the same sumptuous tone listeners to his earlier recordings have come to expect. Basile achieves a wonderful blend of sound, mood, timber and time with his guitar-organ quartet. The title track is a perfect example of this point. Basile's band takes the Sinatra staple at a quiet pace, with Jason Devlin using brushes most effectively. Jerry Z’s accompaniment sounds like Basile dubbed himself into the mix, until the organist begins his cool, understated solo. Cool and warm—warm and cool—this music is a dichotomy, a beautiful enigma.

Basile’s recital choices indicate a well-studied guitarist. He attended Berklee College of Music and graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music. He went on to become an educator himself, developing the Jazz Guitar Curriculum at the New School in New York City. Mr. Basile’s brains and talent illuminate his informed treatments of John Abercrombie’s "Ralph’s Piano Waltz," Red Mitchell’s "One Long String," Joe Pass’ "Catch Me," and Antonio Carlos Jobim’s "Zingaro." He allows his band ample solo space and they all take advantage of this generosity. This is not greasy roadhouse organ jazz. It's ultra-cool music that oddly can warm a room. Rarely does the volume rise above brushes and the gentle purr of the B-3. Bassist Nick Misch provides the low-tone under pinning of the band, rather than the organist’s feet. Misch’s tone is full and round and slightly behind the beat, all contributing to the very cool exterior of this warm music. The result is much much greater than the sum of its parts, making this release one of the finest of this year. ~ C.Michael Bailey http://www.allaboutjazz.com/it-was-a-very-good-year-john-basile-underhill-jazz-review-by-c-michael-bailey.php#.VA-hsRZZjKc

It Was A Very Good Year

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