Teresa Brewer & Stephane Grappelli - On the Road Again

Styles: Vocal, Violin Jazz
Year: 1983
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:19
Size: 81,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:46) 1. On The Road Again
(2:49) 2. It Had To Be You
(3:52) 3. Come On And Drive Me Crazy
(2:58) 4. Smile
(4:50) 5. After You've Gone
(2:57) 6. I Love A Violin
(2:57) 7. Don't Take Your Love From Me
(5:15) 8. Them There Eyes
(5:50) 9. As Time Goes By

Teresa Brewer started out as a spunky novelty vocalist in the 1950s and weathered the rise of rock to emerge as an exuberant jazz singer in the 1970s. Though some find it disconcerting to hear her cutesy, slightly nasal Your Hit Parade-style delivery in a jazz context, at her best she can swing with a loose and easy fervor, aided greatly by the distinguished company she often keeps on her records.

Brewer started singing on Major Bowes' Amateur Hour at the age of five and scored her first big hit as a teenager in 1950 with the diabolically catchy "Music! Music! Music!" That ditty found its way onto almost every jukebox in the land and launched a series of hit singles on Coral stretching all the way to 1961. Her marriage to record producer Bob Thiele in 1972 led to her re-emergence via a long string of albums for Thiele's labels (Doctor Jazz, Signature, Red Baron), often in tandem with such luminaries as Count Basie, Benny Carter, Duke and Mercer Ellington, Stephane Grappelli, Earl Hines, and Clark Terry. By Richard S.Ginell https://www.allmusic.com/artist/teresa-brewer-mn0000017882/biography

Personnel: Vocals – Teresa Brewer; Violin – Stephane Grappelli; Acoustic Guitar – Diz Disley; Bass – Jack Sewing; Electric Guitar – Martin Taylor

On the Road Again

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Buddy DeFranco - Garden of Dreams

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 1988
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:08
Size: 126,8 MB
Art: Front

(6:34)  1. 73 Berkley Street
(5:19)  2. Sunshine State
(5:23)  3. I Remember Clifford
(4:42)  4. Mysteria
(5:15)  5. Blues for Breakfast
(5:28)  6. Holiday for Two
(6:13)  7. Garden of Dreams
(5:36)  8. Brazilian Dorian Dreams
(4:53)  9. Jena
(5:41) 10. Given Time

Buddy DeFranco is one of the great clarinetists of all time and, until the rise of Eddie Daniels, he was indisputably the top clarinetist to emerge since 1940. It was DeFranco's misfortune to be the best on an instrument that after the swing era dropped drastically in popularity and, unlike Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, he has never been a household name for the general public. When he was 14, DeFranco won an amateur swing contest sponsored by Tommy Dorsey. After working with the big bands of Gene Krupa (1941-1942) and Charlie Barnet (1943-1944), he was with TD on and off during 1944-1948. DeFranco, other than spending part of 1950 with Count Basie's septet, was mostly a bandleader from then on. Among the few clarinetists to transfer the language of Charlie Parker onto his instrument, DeFranco has won a countless number of polls and appeared with the Metronome All-Stars in the late '40s. He recorded frequently in the '50s (among his sidemen were Art Blakey, Kenny Drew, and Sonny Clark) and participated in some of Norman Granz's Verve jam session. During 1960-1963 DeFranco led a quartet that also featured the accordion of Tommy Gumina and he recorded an album with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers on which he played bass clarinet. Work, however, was difficult to find in the '60s, leading DeFranco to accept the assignment of leading the Glenn Miller ghost band (1966-1974). He has found more artistic success co-leading a quintet with Terry Gibbs off and on since the early'80s and has recorded throughout the decades for many labels.~Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/buddy-defranco-mn0000638918/biography

Personnel:  Clarinet – Buddy DeFranco;  Bass – Alec Dankworth;  Drums – Clark Tracy;  Guitar – Martin Taylor;  Piano, Synthesizer – David Newton

Garden of Dreams

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Martin Taylor's Spirit of Django - Gypsy

Styles: Guitar Jazz, Gypsy Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:28
Size: 171,1 MB
Art: Front

(8:08)  1. Gypsy Medley
(7:20)  2. My Vardo
(4:58)  3. Chicago
(6:07)  4. Chez Fernand
(2:31)  5. Tears
(6:38)  6. Kushti
(5:06)  7. Nuages
(4:57)  8. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
(5:02)  9. Dreaming of You
(7:06) 10. Sweet Sue Just You
(6:34) 11. Musette for a Magpie
(4:19) 12. Chillin' with Oscar
(5:37) 13. Squid Kid

Martin Taylor's first CD of live dates as a leader proves to be very rewarding listening. With his delightful Spirit of Django band, he sticks exclusively to the acoustic guitar throughout the release, giving a new look to pieces either written by Django Reinhardt ("Tears" and "Nuages") or performed by the late Gypsy guitarist ("Chicago" and "Sweet Sue Just You"). But that's not all the opening medley centers around David Grisman's engaging "The Tipsy Gypsy," and there are several strong originals by Taylor as well, including the mellow but upbeat "Chez Fernand." Accordion player Jack Emblow and saxophonist Dave O'Higgins (who is especially compelling on soprano) are also strong soloists who complement Taylor's work; hopefully Taylor will keep this group going in addition to his fine work as a solo performer. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/gypsy-mw0000054375

Personnel:  Accordion – Jack Emblow;  Acoustic Guitar – John Goldie, Martin Taylor;  Bass [Acoustic] – Terry Gregory;  Saxophone – Dave O'Higgins

Gypsy

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Martin Taylor - Nitelife

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:58
Size: 132.7 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[5:47] 1. Chaff & Grain
[5:28] 2. Doctor Spin
[5:39] 3. That's The Way Of The World
[7:16] 4. Déjà Vu
[4:11] 5. Hymne A L'amour
[5:35] 6. Nitelife
[4:16] 7. Green Lady
[5:52] 8. Beboptimism
[8:05] 9. Across The Pond
[5:46] 10. I Get Along Without You Very Well

Martin Taylor- guitar; Kirk Whalum- tenor saxophone, programming; Jim Reid- soprano saxophone; Jim Horn- alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone; Steve Buckingham- wah wah guitar; Mike Durham- additional electric guitars, power drill; Fink- programming; Brian D. Siewert- programming, keyboards, arrangements; John Stoddart- keyboards; Viktor Krauss, David Hungate- bass; Chester Thompson- drums; David Davidson, David Angell- violin; Monisa Angell, Kristin Wilkinson- viola; Michelle Anne Williams- vocals.

After touring and recording with Stéphane Grappelli throughout the 1980s, and then recording seven superior, straight-ahead albums in the 1990s for the Linn label, Martin Taylor has made a radical change of direction. For his Columbia Records debut, the guitarist teams with saxophonist Kirk Whalum, adds programmed accompaniments to the musical arrangements, and floats repetitious smooth jazz melodies around the recording studio. While his choice of style removes a fair amount of the session's creative energy, the album is performed well. Taylor's expressive guitar stands back much of the time and allows the surrounding factors to overcome. A modest string section, an assortment of pre-packaged sound effects, looped rhythms, and Whalum's fluid tenor share the spotlight. "I Get Along Without You Very Well," "Green Lady" and "Hymne a L'Amour" feature Taylor's guitar with a modicum of passion. Other songs fuse funk with pop and smooth jazz. Taylor's "Across the Pond" adds traditional Celtic music to the mix. The suite combines different landscapes of the guitarist's British homeland into one original collection. The session's high point comes on Whalum's "Beboptimism," which features guitarist and tenor saxophonist trading inspired fours. While the album travels through predictable territory and welcomes programmed repetition, it's performed well and in good taste. Martin Taylor's new look, while not his best perspective, gives the world a contemporary nightlife sound bite for the ages. ~Jim Santella

Nitelife

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Martin Taylor - The Valley

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:10
Size: 108.0 MB
Styles: Jazz guitar
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[3:49] 1. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
[5:19] 2. The Fair Haired Child
[4:14] 3. The Valley
[3:30] 4. Bridge Over Troubled Water
[4:46] 5. God Bless The Child
[3:10] 6. Somewhere
[4:39] 7. Hymn
[4:24] 8. Don't Know Why
[3:14] 9. Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered
[3:27] 10. I've Got You Under My Skin
[3:33] 11. Have You Met Miss Jones
[2:58] 12. Kwame

After the passing of Joe Pass, Britain's Martin Taylor has risen to become one of the premier jazz guitarists on the scene. Despite that, he's presented on a relatively small label here. The music is a mix of original compositions by Taylor (and compatriot Simon Dinnigan) and standards from around the jazz repertoire. Taylor has a relatively light touch, reminiscent, at times, of some new age players. Simultaneously though, he can pick his way through intricate passages akin to a piano player. At that however, not necessarily a jazz piano player. Taylor is admittedly influenced by the likes of Art Tatum, but his style is almost that of a classical pianist through much of the recording, and certainly on the order of a classical guitarist. Guest vocalists are present (opera singer Bryn Terfel and Sacha Distel in particular), though their talents don't quite fit with Simon & Garfunkel covers, truthfully. Overall, the covers are nice, though not always fitting. The originals are where Taylor really shines, letting his style flow as it will through the passages without worrying about remaining true to the original composers. Worth a listen for jazz guitar fans, though Taylor is likely not unheard of for those in the know anyway. ~Adam Greenberg

The Valley

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Spike Robinson - London Reprise

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1984
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:56
Size: 101,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:33)  1. A Foggy Day In London Town
(3:32)  2. When Day Is Done
(8:14)  3. Embraceable You
(5:37)  4. There Is No Greater Love
(6:56)  5. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
(5:31)  6. As Time Goes By
(4:44)  7. Laura
(5:45)  8. Opus D 'Funk

Spike Robinson's return to the jazz scene in the early '80s late in his 34-year period as an engineer (during which he only worked part-time as a musician) was a welcome event. His cool tone (very much in the "Four Brothers" tradition of Stan Getz and Zoot Sims) was fully formed, and he could swing as hard as any of the younger players. For this Capri set, Robinson is teamed in London with guitarist Martin Taylor, bassist Dave Green and drummer Spike Wells for mostly concise renditions of eight veteran standards; only Horace Silver's "Opus De Funk" was written after the swing era. Pleasing music that has not yet been reissued on CD.~Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/london-reprise-mw0000785250

Personnel: Spike Robinson (tenor saxophone); Martin Taylor (guitar); Dave Green (bass instrument).

London Reprise

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Teresa Brewer - What A Wonderful World

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:23
Size: 91,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:04)  1. What A Wonderful World
(4:04)  2. June Night
(4:15)  3. I Dream Of You
(5:03)  4. Just Imagine
(3:22)  5. Isn't It A Lovely Day?
(3:45)  6. I've Got A Feeling
(2:55)  7. Live Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries
(3:46)  8. On The Road Again
(3:50)  9. Come And Drive Me Crazy
(5:18) 10. My Heart Belongs To Daddy

A 1989 release of Brewer singing and being backed by Stephane Grappelli and Ruby Braff. I'd rather hear them.~Ron Wynn http://www.allmusic.com/album/what-a-wonderful-world-mw0000201527

Personnel: Teresa Brewer (vocals); Bob Haggart (whistling); Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); John Bertoncini (guitar); Diz Disley (acoustic guitar); Martin Taylor (electric guitar); Stéphane Grappelli, Svend Asmussen (violin); Bob Wilber (clarinet, saxophone); Bud Freeman (tenor saxophone); Yank Lawson (trumpet); Ruby Braff , Bobby Hackett (cornet); Vic Dickenson, Benny Morton (trombone); Derek Smith , Hank Jones , Ralph Sutton , Earl Hines (piano); Ron Traxler, Grady Tate, Gus Johnson , Oliver Jackson (drums)

What A Wonderful World

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Stephane Grappelli - Olympia 1988

Styles: Violin Jazz
Year: 1988
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:51
Size: 156,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:19)  1. Pick Yourself Up
(3:07)  2. Chicago
(2:26)  3. Shine
(5:15)  4. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
(5:40)  5. Love For Sale
(3:26)  6. I Get A Kick Out Of You
(4:16)  7. Swing 42
(4:13)  8. La Chanson Des Rues
(2:33)  9. Chatanooga Choo Choo
(4:45) 10. Someone to Watch Over Me / I Got Rhythm
(4:30) 11. Ol' Man River
(5:43) 12. Willow Weep For Me
(4:09) 13. 'S Wonderful
(4:00) 14. Lady Be Good
(3:46) 15. Nuages / Daphne
(4:37) 16. Honeysuckle Rose

Violinist Stephane Grappelli has recorded so many fine sets during the past two decades that although virtually all of them are enjoyable, most are not essential. This fine concert performance with a quartet (which also includes the guitars of Marc Fosset and Martin Taylor) is typical of Grappelli's ability to infuse familiar melodies that he has performed a countless number of times with enthusiasm, energy and wit. Pianist Martial Solal and violinist Svend Asmussen make guest appearances but most of the focus is on the great Grappelli, who never seems to have an off day.~Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/olympia-88-mw0000314869

Personnel: Stéphane Grappelli (violin); Marc Fosset (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Martin Taylor (electric guitar); Svend Asmussen (violin); Martial Solal (piano); Patrice Caratini (double bass).

Olympia 88

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Various - Swing & Jazz Collection Vol. 1

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:44
Size: 120.7 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz, Swing
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:29] 1. The George Barnes Quartet - Sweet Georgia Brown
[7:52] 2. Jerry Garcia - Milestones
[3:42] 3. Matt Eakle - Gran's Blues
[2:43] 4. Hal Blaine - Jazz Bop
[3:50] 5. Don Stiernberg - Moonlight In Vermont
[3:59] 6. Martin Taylor - I'm Beginning To See The Light
[2:43] 7. Svend Asmussen - My Blue Heaven
[4:36] 8. Tiny Moore - Back To Back
[2:46] 9. Frank Vignola - Limehouse Blues
[6:23] 10. David Grisman Quintet - Jazzin' With Jazzbeaux
[2:55] 11. Oscar Alemán - Russian Lullaby
[7:40] 12. Stephane Grappelli - Exploration

This first collection of swing & jazz performances from the archives of Acoustic Disc and Acoustic Oasis offers a broad sampling of improvisational styles and the musicians that created them, from Oscar Aleman's classic rendition of "Russian Lullaby" (which inspired Jerry Garcia) to Garcia's own take on Miles Davis' "Milestones."

Other highlights include historic cuts by string-jazz masters Svend Asmussen, Jethro Burns and Tiny Moore and some truly unique tracks - "Exploration I" by violin legend Stephane Grappelli, showcasing his rarely-heard piano mastery and a special guest appearance by the legendary Al "Jazzbo" Collins rapping along with the David Grisman Quintet. If you like swing and jazz, treat yourself to this amazing collection.

Swing & Jazz Collection Vol. 1

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Martin Taylor - Portraits

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:34
Size: 143,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:57)  1. Shiny Stockings
(4:59)  2. Like Someone In Love (Solo)
(3:56)  3. Sweet Lorraine
(4:09)  4. I Got Rhythm
(4:49)  5. Why Did I Choose You?
(5:02)  6. My Funny Valentine
(5:12)  7. Do You Know What It Means ?
(4:30)  8. I Remember Clifford
(3:52)  9. Ol' Man River (Solo)
(4:29) 10. Here, There And Everywhere
(3:45) 11. In A Mellow Tone (Solo)
(4:11) 12. My one and only love
(3:58) 13. Kiko
(5:38) 14. Very Early

Taylor's fifth release for Linn combines solo recordings along with a few duets with Nashville legend Chet Atkins and a pair of overdubbed duets. Taylor's fluid, unaccompanied playing makes him the most obvious heir to the legacy of Joe Pass. All of Martin Taylor's recordings for the Scottish label Linn are strongly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/portraits-mw0000080456

Personnel: Martin Taylor, Chet Atkins (guitar).

Portraits

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Martin Taylor - Sketches: A Tribute To Art Tatum

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:39
Size: 102.2 MB
Styles: Jazz guitar, Crossover jazz
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[3:53] 1. Ol' Man River
[3:55] 2. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
[5:06] 3. Blues For Mr. T
[2:10] 4. It's Only A Paper Moon
[3:17] 5. I've Got The World On A String
[3:25] 6. Honeysuckle Rose
[3:45] 7. How High The Moon
[4:39] 8. Takin' A Chance On Love
[2:23] 9. Time After Time
[2:23] 10. All The Things You Are
[3:15] 11. All The Things Your Are
[1:50] 12. Cotton Tail
[4:32] 13. Misty

Martin Taylor's earliest recordings have long been difficult to acquire, but they finally reappeared in 2006 on this P3Music CD reissue. The masterful guitarist was already a dazzling player in 1983, when the solo performances on this disc were recorded. Taylor intended his tribute to incorporate the spirit, warmth, and humor of Art Tatum, without trying to duplicate the legendary pianist's pyrotechnics on guitar, which would have been impossible, in any case. Tatum only recorded six of the first ten compositions, though Taylor succeeds in getting the listener to imagine what fun he might have had playing other songs, working a brief excerpt of Gershwin's "An American in Paris" into Jerome Kern's "Ol' Man River." His breathtaking dash through "Taking a Chance on Love" and the lively tribute "Blues for Mr. T" also merit strong praise. When Taylor tackles Tatum's favorite standards, it becomes clear that a virtuoso is in the making, especially with his show-stopping finale of "All the Things You Are." Three 1978 duets with guitarist Ike Isaacs, who was a very important mentor to Taylor during his early years, are an added bonus. ~Ken Dryden

Sketches: A Tribute To Art Tatum

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Alison Burns - Kissing Bug

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:33
Size: 118.0 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[3:16] 1. Kissing Bug
[3:00] 2. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[4:48] 3. The Good Life
[3:31] 4. But Not For Me
[4:51] 5. Love Me Or Leave Me
[4:56] 6. Cry Me A River
[4:09] 7. No Moon At All
[2:51] 8. By Myself
[3:23] 9. Too Good To Be True
[3:58] 10. Shadow Of Your Smile
[4:35] 11. Can't Help Loving That Man
[5:08] 12. The Thrill Is Gone
[3:01] 13. The Way You Look Tonight

Acclaimed by the Glasgow Herald as "One of Scotland's foremost jazz singers," the sensual, supple voiced Alison Burns made a promising case for success on a more global scale on this impressive standards-driven debut that was produced by her father-in-law, famed jazz guitarist Martin Taylor. Based on her formidable talent and casually elegant way with songs like "Cry Me a River," "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," and "But Not for Me," it's clear that the singer could have emerged much sooner than she has. But her background is fascinating, from singing in the school choir to becoming one of the first female mechanical engineers in Scotland to acting, doing voice-overs, to working as an entertainment lawyer. All of that life experience adds gravitas to the often heartbreaking emotion she brings to these 13 songs, whose restrained arrangements allow her smoky voice to stand out and feature Martin Taylor's breezy guitar harmony lines, and his son James Taylor on drums and brushes. Though contemplative ballads seem to be her forte, Burns shows spirited range on pieces like "By Myself" and "Too Good to Be True," which find her jaunting over much brisker rhythms. This disc plays like an infectious bug that should create a cool epidemic among jazz listeners with great taste as the 2000s progress. ~Jonathan Widran

Kissing Bug

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Martin Taylor - Spirit of Django

Styles: Guitar Jazz, Gypsy Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:32
Size: 139,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:03)  1. Chez Fernand
(5:33)  2. Minor Swing
(6:38)  3. Night and Day
(4:45)  4. Nuages
(5:00)  5. James
(5:48)  6. Double Top
(5:15)  7. Django's Dream
(5:38)  8. Swing 42
(5:14)  9. Lady Be Good
(6:29) 10. Honeysuckle Rose
(5:04) 11. Johnny and Mary

In the 1990s, jazz tribute albums could be incredibly predictable, with young tenor saxophonists paying tribute to John Coltrane by emulating his tone and playing his best-known songs exactly like he played them, or young trumpeters saluting Miles Davis by trying to sound like a carbon copy of him on yet another version of "So What" or "Solar." Spirit of Django is Martin Taylor's tribute to fellow guitarist Django Reinhardt, and thankfully, this is one tribute album that's interesting and unpredictable instead of cliché-ridden. Though Taylor's love of Reinhardt's legacy is evident throughout the album, the guitarist never sounds like an outright clone. 

His individuality comes through on Reinhardt pieces (including "Nuages" and "Minor Swing"), as well as Fats Waller's "Honeysuckle Rose" and the standards "Night and Day" and "Lady Be Good." To his credit, Taylor makes some unlikely choices. Pat Metheny's "James," for example, isn't something you'd expect to hear on a Reinhardt tribute, yet Taylor's interpretation fits in perfectly. This excellent CD is highly recommended to admirers of both Taylor and Reinhardt. ~ Alex Henderson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/spirit-of-django-mw0000646679

Personnel: Martin Taylor, John Goldie (acosutic guitar); Jack Emblow (accordion); Dave O'Higgins (soprano & tenor saxophones); Alec Dankworth (acoustic bass, cabasa); James Taylor (snare drum).

Spirit of Django

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Tommy Emmanuel, Martin Taylor - The Colonel & The Governor

Styles: Crossover Jazz, Guitar Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:54
Size: 139,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:08)  1. I Won't Last A Day Without You
(3:53)  2. Jersey Bounce
(3:25)  3. Bernie's Tune
(5:26)  4. A Smooth One
(4:25)  5. True
(3:27)  6. Heat Wave
(3:53)  7. One Day
(5:02)  8. Lullaby Of Birdland
(5:18)  9. The Nearness Of You
(5:19) 10. Down At Cocomo's
(4:41) 11. The Fair Haired Child
(4:07) 12. Secret Love
(3:24) 13. Wonderful Baby
(3:20) 14. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free

There's an implicit sense of mutual admiration behind the titling of this album collaboration between two of the world's gifted and certainly most decorated fingerpicking guitarists. Named in relation to Emmanuel's status as an honorary Kentucky Colonel and Taylor's lettered English roots, The Colonel & The Governor is primarily a collection of the duo's favorite jazz standards and pop classics, delivered in a way that betrays not only their shared virtuosity, but also their sense of playfulness. In the immediate years leading up to this release, while Emmanuel's studio output has been relatively sparse bar the impressive 2010 solo album Little by Little and the 2011 John Fahey nod that was All I Want For Christmas Taylor has been more prolific, collaborating with such jazz luminaries as Frank Vignola and Alan Barnes.

Although Emmanuel and Taylor are both notoriously comfortable in the art of genre-hopping, it's Taylor's gentle Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli-influenced jazz heredity that forms the basis of this set. So even though we're occasionally given brief glimpses of Emmanuel's accomplished folk and country leanings mainly through his tasteful rhythm-cum-lead playing it's clear that jazz is the order of the day on this release. When the duo run through "Jersey Bounce" a '40s swing hit for Benny Goodman and the jazz standard "Bernie's Tune," it's equally clear that Emmanuel is more than at home in this territory. Among the pop material on display here is the duo's inventive take on the early '60s Kathy Kirby hit "Secret Love." Built around Emmanuel's singular use of harmonics, it's a clear highlight of the disc. Elsewhere, Taylor contributes two original compositions to the album in the form of the tender ballad "True," and the addictive, Caribbean-influenced "Down at Cocomo's." More than anything it's the duo's sheer enthusiasm for guitar playing that resonates across this release, and although their audible nods of approval to each other's contributions can occasionally be distracting, this is an album that should impress any listener with guitar virtuosity high on their agenda. ~ James Wilkinson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-colonel-the-governor-mw0002491058

The Colonel & The Governor

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Martin Taylor, David Grisman, Acoustic Jazz Quartet - I'm Beginning to See the Light

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:33
Size: 136.4 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz, Crossover jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[3:59] 1. I'm Beginning to See the Light
[4:21] 2. Autumn Leaves
[5:10] 3. Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans
[4:42] 4. East of the Sun
[4:39] 5. Autumn in New York
[5:43] 6. Makin' Whoopee
[5:25] 7. Lover Man
[4:01] 8. Exactly Like You
[7:04] 9. Willow Weep for Me
[4:18] 10. A Foggy Day
[5:08] 11. Cheek to Cheek
[4:59] 12. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

As one of the prime movers behind the "new acoustic" movement that began gathering speed in the mid-'70s, David Grisman helped usher in a new era of acoustic jazz. With other renegade players like Tony Rice, Richard Greene and Sam Bush, he took an instrument generally associated with bluegrass music (in his case, the mandolin) and turned it to more adventurous uses, often combining the instrumentation and textures of bluegrass with the advanced harmonic structures and rhythms of jazz. He's never completely turned his back on bluegrass, but his primary focus has been on jazz and jazz-derived styles for some time. I'm Beginning to See the Light is a collection of standards recorded in collaboration with guitarist Martin Taylor, bassist Jim Kerwin and drummer George Marsh. The program is pretty predictable, including "Autumn Leaves," "Cheek to Cheek," and "Makin' Whoopee." But the mandolin gives the quartet an unusual texture, and Taylor's playing is always fun to listen to. There's a pervasive gentleness to the group's sound that sometimes borders on soporific, but every time you stir yourself to listen closely, you'll be rewarded. Recommended. ~Rick Anderson

I'm Beginning to See the Light

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Martin Taylor - Kiss and Tell

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:56
Size: 167,3 MB
Art: Front

( 5:11)  1. Kiss and Tell
( 4:48)  2. You've Changed
( 7:53)  3. The Odd Couple
( 6:07)  4. Garden of Dreams
( 0:58)  5. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
( 3:56)  6. Midnight at the Oasis
( 4:51)  7. Mona Lisa
( 6:11)  8. Five-O
( 4:14)  9. Sunstep
( 6:38) 10. Ginger
( 4:16) 11. Midnight Voyage
(11:25) 12. The Nearness of You
( 6:21) 13. I Should Care

The veteran electric guitarist dashes off some spectacular solo runs on this collection, but he seems confused as to which genre he's playing in. His jumpy, shuffling cover of "Midnight at the Oasis" features a blazing Kirk Whalum sax solo and would be a natural for smooth jazz radio if other artists hadn't already redone the 1974 chestnut. On numbers like "You've Changed," however, he slows the pace down to Quaalude calm, aiming for intimacy with a small string section, but ending up with an insomnia cure. Then he's trying the bossa nova thing on the easy swaying "Garden of Dreams," and simply noodling and trying to impress us with his coolness on a brief improvised interlude "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." 

While he's all over the map throughout, he offers some musical oases that the casual listener can turn to while trying to figure out the rest inventive reworkings of the theme songs to '70s TV icons The Odd Couple and Hawaii Five-0. At eight minutes and pretty sluggish, "The Odd Couple" is kind of like watching Felix and Oscar listen to jazz while on Prozac. But "Five-O" features some of Taylor's snappiest soloing as well as a glimmering electric piano solo by Matt Rollings that puts the tune in its rightful retro place. The dichotomy of these two approaches characterizes the whole disc, which is highly listenable in spots, but too inconsistent on the whole. ~ Jonathan Widran  http://www.allmusic.com/album/kiss-tell-mw0000607940

Personnel: Martin Taylor, Pat Bergeron (guitar); Jay Ashey (vocals, trombone, tamborim); Kirk Whalum (soprano & tenor saxophones); George Garzone (tenor saxophone); Randy Brecker (flugelhorn); John Catchings (violin);  (viola); David Davidson (cello); Matt Rollings (acoustic & electric pianos, organ); Brian Siewert (keyboards, programming); Eddie Gomez, Chris Kent (bass); Eric Darken (percussion).

Kiss and Tell

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Buddy Defranco & Martin Taylor - Buddy Defranco Meets Martin Taylor

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 46:36
Size: 106.7 MB
Styles: Straight ahead jazz
Year: 1984/2009
Art: Front

[4:42] 1. Whispering Groovin' High
[6:32] 2. I Got A Right To Sing The Blues
[6:54] 3. Manhattan Tea Party
[6:40] 4. Goodbye
[4:40] 5. Just Friends
[6:52] 6. Angels Camp
[3:10] 7. Dark Island
[3:03] 8. Prelude To A Kiss
[3:59] 9. I Got Rhythm

Hep reissues their killer 1984 session with clarinetist Buddy DeFranco meeting up with jazz guitar virtuoso Martin Taylor that also includes Alex Sharp playing piano, Ronnie Bae on bass, and Clark Tracey in the drummer’s chair. DeFranco who was 60 at the time and is in killer form on this set of jazz standards that include “Groovin’ High,” “Prelude to a Kiss,” “I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues,” and others. Taylor is a perfect foil for the gorgeously round and warm tone of DeFranco with his contrapuntal gypsy jazz licks and rhythms. This set was reissued on CD in 2009. ~Thom Jurek

Buddy Defranco Meets Martin Taylor

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Martin Taylor - Change of Heart

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:32
Size: 112,0 MB
Art: Front

( 9:52)  1. 73 Berkley Street
( 5:02)  2. The Gypsy
(10:45)  3. You Don't Know Me
( 5:05)  4. After Hours
( 5:47)  5. Change Of Heart
( 4:44)  6. I Get Along Without You Very Well
( 7:13)  7. Angel's Camp

Martin Taylor's star rose considerably during the 1990s with a flurry of recording activity as a leader, especially dates such this one from the series he did for the Scottish label Linn. With a rhythm section of pianist David Newton, bassist Brian Shiels, and drummer John Rae, the guitarist's program is wide-ranging and has some surprises. Taylor wrote a pair of originals: The opener, "73 Berkeley Street," at first gives the impression of being a groove tune until the quartet launches into a brisk bop setting, and his "Angel's Camp" has a rhythm & blues flavor with a touch of gospel. Country great Eddy Arnold's "You Don't Know Me" has been covered by a few jazz musicians, but Taylor's bluesy guitar and Newton's soulful piano make this extended performance a treat. 

Taylor overdubbed a second guitar on his otherwise unaccompanied treatment of Ike Isaacs' snappy "After Hours," and he's truly solo on a soft lyrical take of Hoagy Carmichael's timeless "I Get Along Without You Very Well." This recommended CD is well worth acquiring. 

~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/change-of-heart-mw0000188626

Personnel: Martin Taylor – guitar; David Newton - piano & synthesiser; Brian Shiels – bass; John Rae - drums

Change of Heart

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