Milestones Posted January 19, 2020 Report Posted January 19, 2020 I get the feeling that mainstream guitarists aren't talked about much around here, not even those considered "classic." I'm a big fan of Kenny Burrell, Jim Hall, West Montgomery, and Grant Green--all of whom are distinctive and often quite creative. But there is something to be said for significant, yet somewhat forgotten, figures like Bukcy Pizzarelli, Herb Ellis, and Barney Kessel. I'm not sure I could even tell them apart, such as Kessel and Ellis, who were together in "Great Guitars" for a while. I've known Ellis better, in part because of his longer stint in the Peterson trio. But Kessel's work with Oscar is not to be missed, including when the group backed Lester Young. I've enjoyed The Artistry of Barney Kessel compilation and the first Poll Winners record. He was also known to accompany the greatest singers: Ella and Billie. "Great" may be too strong a word, but I'm now starting to look more deeply into Kessel's work and feeling he should not be a neglected guitarist. Any recommendations (albums or individual pieces) are welcome. Quote
Larry Kart Posted January 19, 2020 Report Posted January 19, 2020 Two good ones. "Feeling Free" has about the most "advanced" personnel of any of his albums -- Barney Kessel - guitar Bobby Hutcherson - vibraphone Chuck Domanico - bass Elvin Jones - drums and everyone clicks. "To Swing or Not To Swing," which I bought when it came out, some 60 years ago, is just a lot of fun. Quote
JSngry Posted January 19, 2020 Report Posted January 19, 2020 5 minutes ago, Larry Kart said: Two good ones. "Feeling Free" has about the most "advanced" personnel of any of his albums -- Barney Kessel - guitar Bobby Hutcherson - vibraphone Chuck Domanico - bass Elvin Jones - drums and everyone clicks. Indeed they do!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fksd3B0Uylo&t=887s Quote
Milestones Posted January 19, 2020 Author Report Posted January 19, 2020 I had not known Elvin appeared on a Kessel record. Quote
T.D. Posted January 19, 2020 Report Posted January 19, 2020 39 minutes ago, Larry Kart said: Two good ones. "Feeling Free" has about the most "advanced" personnel of any of his albums -- Barney Kessel - guitar Bobby Hutcherson - vibraphone Chuck Domanico - bass Elvin Jones - drums and everyone clicks. "To Swing or Not To Swing," which I bought when it came out, some 60 years ago, is just a lot of fun. I own more recordings with Kessel as leader than any other guitarist. Strongly agree on Feeling Free; that's the one I listen to most often. Quote
ejp626 Posted January 19, 2020 Report Posted January 19, 2020 1 hour ago, T.D. said: I own more recordings with Kessel as leader than any other guitarist. Strongly agree on Feeling Free; that's the one I listen to most often. So embarrassed that I didn't even remember I own a copy of Feeling Free... It looks tasty. Will listen to it tonight... Quote
jlhoots Posted January 19, 2020 Report Posted January 19, 2020 (edited) The Poll Winners for sure. Edited January 19, 2020 by jlhoots Quote
jazzcorner Posted January 19, 2020 Report Posted January 19, 2020 (edited) 12 hours ago, Milestones said: I've enjoyed The Artistry of Barney Kessel compilation and the first Poll Winners record I'm a great Barney Kessel fan. These are my Barney Kessel LPs recorded under his name (sorted by rec. date) Like best the first 4 LP's. He was also very active with Norman Granz' JATP in the OP Trio. He was followed in this Trio by Herb Ellis. Kessel,Barney Easy Like - Vol 1 1953 Contemporary 3511 Kessel,Barney Kessel plays Standards - Vol 2 1954 Contemporary 3512 Kessel,Barney To swing or not to swing - Vol 3 1955 Contemporary 3513 Kessel,Barney Music to listen Barney Kessel by Vol 4 1956 Contemporary 7521 Kessel,Barney Let`s cook! 1957 Contemporary 7603 Kessel,Barney The Pollwinners 1957 Contemporary 7535 Kessel,Barney CARMEN 1958 Contemporary 7563 Kessel,Barney Poll Winners Three 1959 Contemporary 7576 Kessel,Barney Some like it hot 1959 Contemporary 7565 Kessel,Barney Barney Kessel`s swinging party 1960 Contemporary 7613 Kessel,Barney The Poll Winners explorating the scene 1960 Contemporary 7581 Kessel,Barney Working Out 1961 Contemporary 7585 Kessel,Barney Swinging Easy 1968 Black Lion 130 Kessel,Barney Feeling Free 1969 Contemporary 7618 Kessel,Barney Summertime in Montreux 1973 Black Lion 210 Kessel,Barney Blue Soul 1975 Black Lion 310 Kessel,Barney Barney plays Kessel & friends 1975 Concord Jazz 9 Kessel,Barney The Poll Winners Straigt Ahead"" 1975 Contemporary(OJC) 7635 12 hours ago, Milestones said: Edited January 19, 2020 by jazzcorner correction Quote
Peter Friedman Posted January 19, 2020 Report Posted January 19, 2020 Theses are 2 of my favorite Barney Kessel albums. Let's Cook! has 2 groups - Kessel with Victor Feldman, Hampton Hawes, Leroy Vinnegar, Shelly Manne. The other group has Kessel with Ben Webster Frank Rosolino, Jimmy Rowles, Vinnegar, Manne. Spontaneous Combustion has Kessel with the Monty Alexander Trio - John Clayton & Jeff Hamilton. I forgot to add this one to my Kessel favorites. With Kenny Barron, Bobby Hutcherson, Rufus Reid and Ben Riley Quote
jazzcorner Posted January 19, 2020 Report Posted January 19, 2020 An other underrated guitarist is Howard Roberts. Some times they both sound alike a bit. Anyway I like Howard Robers also very much. Quote
John Tapscott Posted January 20, 2020 Report Posted January 20, 2020 One of my favorite Kessel recordings. . Quote
mhatta Posted January 22, 2020 Report Posted January 22, 2020 I'm kinda surprised that nobody seems to have mentioned "On Fire"... Quote
Jim Duckworth Posted January 22, 2020 Report Posted January 22, 2020 I can't make any claims for how this stacks up against his other albums, but this one has the great trumpeter Joe Gordon, Art Pepper, and Jimmy Rowles on board. Quote
HutchFan Posted January 24, 2020 Report Posted January 24, 2020 Feeling Free is also my favorite Kessel record, by a considerable margin. (And not just because it features Bobby Hutcherson! 😉) Quote
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