Review by Ken Dryden
The music within this two-CD set by Bucky Pizzarelli consists of several different sessions that initially appeared on separate Stash LPs and CDs before being combined for this collection. The first 22 tracks are taken from solo seven-string electric guitar sessions recorded in 1981 and 1986. His lyrical, strolling interpretation of "The Folks Who Live on the Hill," plus brilliant performances of two Bix Beiderbecke compositions ("Flashes" and "Candlelight") and a lush take of "'Round Midnight" are but a few of the many highlights. Both dates are virtual master classes for solo jazz guitarists. He's also joined by his talented son, John Pizzarelli, for 23 duets on seven-string guitar, mostly songs from the swing era, including a hard-charging "Love for Sale," an intricate "Nuages," and a sparkling "In a Mellow Tone." But there are surprises, including a delicate interpretation of Stephen Sondheim's ballad "Pretty Women" (from the musical Sweeney Todd) and Chick Corea's masterpiece "Spain" (inspired by Rodrigo's Guitar Concerto). Father and son were hardly strangers playing together, even at this relatively early point in the younger man's career; they comp one another beautifully. Unfortunately, the packaging of this two-CD reissue is severely flawed. Not only are both artists' photos given a bizarre coloring that make them look like post-nuclear war mutants, but they're shown playing guitar left-handed. In addition, all of the songs from disc one are actually on disc two, and vice versa, and the composer credits are omitted. But such sloppy work by the label shouldn't prevent fans of Bucky and John Pizzarelli from picking up this musically excellent release on Jazz Classics.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/solos-duets-mr0001366794
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Reseña de Ken Dryden
La música de este conjunto de dos CDs de Bucky Pizzarelli consiste en varias sesiones diferentes que aparecieron inicialmente en LPs y CDs separados de Stash antes de ser combinados para esta colección. Las primeras 22 pistas proceden de sesiones de guitarra eléctrica de siete cuerdas grabadas en 1981 y 1986. Su lírica y paseante interpretación de "The Folks Who Live on the Hill", además de brillantes interpretaciones de dos composiciones de Bix Beiderbecke ("Flashes" y "Candlelight") y una exuberante toma de "'Round Midnight" son sólo algunos de los muchos momentos destacados. Ambas fechas son virtuales clases magistrales para guitarristas de jazz solistas. También se le une su talentoso hijo, John Pizzarelli, para 23 dúos de guitarra de siete cuerdas, la mayoría canciones de la era del swing, como la enérgica "Love for Sale", la intrincada "Nuages" y la chispeante "In a Mellow Tone". Pero hay sorpresas, como una delicada interpretación de la balada de Stephen Sondheim "Pretty Women" (del musical Sweeney Todd) y la obra maestra de Chick Corea "Spain" (inspirada en el Concierto para guitarra de Rodrigo). Padre e hijo no eran extraños tocando juntos, incluso en este punto relativamente temprano de la carrera del más joven; se compenetran maravillosamente. Desgraciadamente, el embalaje de esta reedición en dos CD es muy defectuoso. No sólo las fotos de ambos artistas están coloreadas de una forma extraña que les hace parecer mutantes de la posguerra nuclear, sino que además aparecen tocando la guitarra con la mano izquierda. Además, todas las canciones del primer disco están en el segundo, y viceversa, y se omiten los créditos de los compositores. Pero esta chapuza de la discográfica no debería impedir que los fans de Bucky y John Pizzarelli se hagan con este excelente disco de Jazz Classics.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/solos-duets-mr0001366794
Tracks:
CD 1:
01 - You Must Believe In Spring
02 - The Folks Who Live On The Hill
03 - The Bad & The Beautiful
04 - Last Night When We Were Young
05 - Medley: Sophisticated Lady / Prelude To A Kiss
06 - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
07 - One Morning In May
08 - Medley: Autumn Leaves / Autumn In New York
09 - Flashes
10 - Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
11 - Concerto For Guitar
12 - I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan
13 - Out Of This World
14 - The End Of A Love Affair
15 - Ill Wind
16 - Bewitched
17 - 'Round Midnight
18 - Solo Flight
19 - Blah! Blah! Blah!
20 - Candlelights
21 - All This And Heaven Too
22 - Medley: My Wonderful One / My Best Girl
CD 2:
01 - Love For Sale
02 - Pretty Woman
03 - Nuages
04 - Sutton Mutton
05 - Close Enough For Love
06 - Undecided
07 - Spain
08 - All Through The Night
09 - This Nearly Was Mine
10 - Come Rain Or Come Shine
11 - Nikki
12 - Stems
13 - In A Mellow Tone
14 - Soon
15 - Why Did I Choose You?
16 - Medley: Romanza / In The Dark
17 - There Is No Greater Love
18 - In A Mist
19 - Four Brothers
20 - Lush Life
21 - Sleeping Bee
22 - Blame It On My Youth
23 - Goodbye
Credits:
Bucky Pizzarelli – guitar
John Pizzarelli – guitar
1996
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