Sonny Greenwich - Sun Song (The Music of Sonny Greenwich)

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1975
Time: 40:07
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 91,8 MB
Art: Front

( 7:15) 1. Lily (Lotus)
(12:08) 2. Peace Chant
(20:43) 3. Starlight/Parting

A gem of a record from the great Sonny Greenwich an open-toned guitarist with a style that's unlike anyone else we can think of a Canadian player who never got much exposure down here in the US, but who really stands apart from most of the jazz guitarists of his generation! There's this unusual sense of color and phrasing that really makes Sonny stand out chords that almost feel as if they're broken open and exposed from a Wes Montgomery sort of tightness able to move with a sense of fluidity, but a unique sense of rhythm that's definitely Greenwich's own.

The rest of the group here really match the spirit of his music maybe more so than on any other record of his as a leader a great lineup that includes Don Thompson on electric and acoustic piano, Rick Homme on bass, Terry Clarke on drums, and Clayton Johnson on percussion. All tracks are nice and long and titles include "Peace Chant", "Lilly Lotus", "Parting", and "Starlight". © 1996-2024, Dusty Groove, Inc.https://www.dustygroove.com/item/994223/Sonny-Greenwich:Sun-Song

Personnel: Guitar – Sonny Greenwich; Bass – Rick Homme; Drums – Terry Clarke; Percussion – Clayton Johnson; Piano – Don Thompson

Sun Song (The Music of Sonny Greenwich)

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Sonny Greenwich - Live at Sweet Basil

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1987
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:10
Size: 138,0 MB
Art: Front

(12:18) 1. Tomorrow
(10:10) 2. Libra Ascending
(15:13) 3. Tell Yourself the Truth
( 8:30) 4. You Go to My Head
(13:57) 5. The Sky's The Limit

A live club date in New York City consisting of three originals and one standard with quartet. This man is an unsung hero, revered by guitarists. ~ Michael G. Nastos https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-sweet-basil-mw0000911556

Personnel: Guitar – Sonny Greenwich; Bass – Ron Séguin; Drums – Andre White; Piano – Fred Henke

Live at Sweet Basil

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Paul Bley, Sonny Greenwich - Outside In

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:09
Size: 160.6 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Avant garde jazz
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[1:40] 1. Sonics Ii
[4:34] 2. Horizons
[7:07] 3. Arrival
[7:31] 4. Now
[6:12] 5. Meandering
[7:00] 6. Willow
[6:45] 7. I Remember Harlem
[4:25] 8. Peel Street Blues
[7:47] 9. Steeplechase
[6:14] 10. You Are
[4:45] 11. These Foolish Things
[6:04] 12. Pent Up House

This duet set by pianist Paul Bley and guitarist Sonny Greenwich, after two melodic solos by Greenwich and Bley's feature on "Arrival," becomes a loose bop session. "Meandering" is a blues and, in the tradition of Lennie Tristano, the origins of the originals "Willow" and "You Are" are not too difficult to figure out. The music does meander a bit but mostly swings in a floating way. Although there are some freer moments, this is as straight as Paul Bley has played on records in years and Sonny Greenwich also sounds fairly conservative, at least if one does not listen too closely. It's a relaxed and very interesting set. ~Scott Yanow

Outside In

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Sonny Greenwich & Ed Bickert - Days Gone By

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:44
Size: 179,3 MB
Art: Front

( 8:26)  1. With a Song in My Heart
( 3:58)  2. I Remember You
( 6:42)  3. Lily
(10:00)  4. Nica's Dream
( 8:57)  5. I'll Take Romance
( 7:46)  6. Oleo
( 8:25)  7. I Know Why
(12:26)  8. Gittar Blues

Canadian guitarist Sonny Greenwich has been on the jazz scene for a long time, but he isn't very well known outside of his native land due to the limited opportunities he's had to record for Americans labels. Bouts of ill health and periodical withdrawals from music have also proven to be a handicap. Greenwich had done quite a bit of recording in Canada prior to this 1979 session, including several albums with Don Thompson, the bassist on this occasion. This informal recording made at Thompson's studio features Greenwich predominately playing lead with seasoned guitarist Ed Bickert playing fills (though he also solos very effectively), as well as drummer Terry Clarke. 

Liner note writer John Norris explains that the occasional distortion comes from the lack of having anyone at the control board, but it isn't a major distraction. All of the music is quite enjoyable even if it wasn't necessarily recorded with the intention of releasing it, as it didn't come out until 2000. The set consists of a heavy dose of standards ("With a Song in My Heart," "I Remember You," and "I'll Take Romance") and classic jazz compositions (Horace Silver's "Nica's Dream" and Sonny Rollins' "Oleo"), all of which are inspired. The lush ballad "I Know Why" (by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon) is a song that ought to be a standard, but has been for the most part overlooked. Greenwich also contributed the lyrical ballad "Lily" and the lengthy finale, "Gittar Blues," was likely created on the spot by the two guitarists. This is one of many fine releases put out by Sackville, a Canadian label well worth exploring as a whole. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/days-gone-by-mw0000100323

Personnel: Sonny Greenwich, Ed Bickert (guitar); Don Thompson (bass); Terry Clarke (drums).

Days Gone By

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