Herb Ellis - Verve LP

[Larry Kart]

Guess I need to explore Smith more; all I know is the old Roost "Moonlight in Vermont" album. BTW, looking at my previous post. I notice an unintended ambiguity. I meant that Farlow's range of dynamics and touch had increased quite a bit over what I'd heard from before, not that he had gone beyond Tatum's range of dynamics etc.

[Brad]

Besides Green, I'd rate (imho) Kenny Burrell, Jimmy Raney and Tiny Grimes highly. Tiny has a very distinct sound. There's one recording that Jimmy Raney did on Xanadu with Sonny Clark, Together, that I'd rate highly. That is a dynamite recording.

[Sundog]

Since were talking guitarists, I had to put in my two cents (It's a sickness ) I'm definitely a bit of a jazz guitar junkie. So...

In addition to all of the above I would add Barry Galbraith. An exceptional arranger and composer as well as one heck of a player. His chord melody and take on bassline comping are exceptional. Joe Pass gets a lot of credit in these two areas, and rightfully so, however Barry is every bit his peer when it comes to bassline comping. Wonderful player who never really got his due.

Some other favorites include Philip Catherine and Lenny Breau. Love Philip's take on Django. He's one of the few players to come around in the last 30 years who can really play Django, and make it sound fresh, another underrated player who really hasn't got his due.

Finally, Lenny Breau, a fine all around player. However, where he really shines, for me at least, is the way he comps. Lots of space, very juicy chord selection. A shame he's still not with us.

[paul secor]

To get back to Herb Ellis and Nothing But the Blues for a second, I like the record even if he's not one of my favorite guitarists. I agree that his tone here is twangy, but it doesn't bother me. I guess I've listened to too many Western swing and country records over the years. I can see where some folks might be put off by his sound on this, though. Different strokes....