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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

1446.0. "Kenny Burrell" by RAINBO::WEBER () Mon Aug 28 1989 19:31

    At age 58, Kenny Burrell has established a body of recorded work
    unmatched by any other jazz guitarist. With more than forty records as
    leader, untold numbers as a sideman, Kenny has been possible the most
    prolific jazz guitarist in history. Despite the sheer quantity, it is
    the quality of this work that makes Kenny the preeminent jazz guitarist
    and therefore, to me, the world's best guitarist.
    
    One of the many disciples of Charlie Christian, Kenny has melded
    Christian's bop conception with a strong touch of the blues, producing
    a sound that stands head and shoulders above the typical, featureless
    jazz tone. Kenny has recorded in almost every conceivable jazz setting,
    from solo to trio to big band to orchestra, without losing sight of the
    jazz art. He has recorded with an incredible variety of jazz giants:
    Dizzy, Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Hampton Hawes,
    Wynton Kelly, Coleman Hawkins,  and John Coltrane are some of the names
    that come to mind.
    
     Kenny has substantial non-jazz playing credit, including Broadway
    Shows, R'n B, and studio work. A graduate of Wayne University where he
    majored in classical guitar,  Kenny is equally at home on nylon
    strings; many of his jazz albums feature a mix of electric and
    acoustic, steel string and nylon string playing. Like many jazz
    artists, he has sometimes strayed into insipid, pop territory; unlike
    most who do, he has quickly returned to the fold.
    
    Kenny sticks to basic equipment; his primary recording instrument is a
    sunburst mid-'60's florentine cutaway Gibson Super 400 CES. He also
    owns and uses a venetian cutaway S400 CES, an L-5C with a Johnny Smith
    pickup, two D'Angelico New Yorker's with D'Armond pickups, and various
    nylon string guitars. His amp is a mid-'60's  Fender Twin Reverb, or
    occasionally a Polytone Mini-Brute 2. 
    
    With over 500 LP's and 100 CD's which have jazz guitarists as leaders,
    I have heard virtually every jazz guitarist who has ever recorded.
    There are some with better chops, there have been some who have made an
    occasional better record, there are some who are sometimes more
    exciting, but none have come close to Kenny's breadth, depth, variety,
    and consistent quality. To me, there is no one better.
    
    Danny W.  
    
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1446.1w/Trane??POBOX::DAVIAThat hammer done killed John HenryMon Aug 28 1989 22:1613
    
    John Coltrane and Kenny Burrel worked together and influenced each 
    other in the early 60's. Burrell recorded a version of "Naima" on
    his "Heritage" album, (an outstanding effort with a dynamite version
    of Night in Tunisia). This interests me because Coltrane is my favorite
    all-time Jazz musician, but I know little of his work with Burrell.
    Other than the Tommy Flanagan album "The Cats", I've not heard the
    two together.
    
    I'd like to know more about Kenny's association with John Coltrane.

    Phil
    
1446.2Prestige TwoferAQUA::ROSTSpeak to dogs in FrenchTue Aug 29 1989 11:2712
    
    Re: .1
    
    There is an *excellent* twofer on Prestige of Kenny with Coltrane. The
    title might be just "Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane" or vice
    versa....it's been a while! I think I still have a tape of it stashed
    away somewhere.  It dates back to the late 50s, prior to Trane heading
    for outer space.  If my memory serves, Paul Chambers is on board for
    the sessions. 

    
    							Brian
1446.3It has been awile!!!!VIDEO::BUSENBARKTue Aug 29 1989 12:365
    re.-2 Brian's right the title is Kenny Burrell and Coltrane or
    was it Coltrane and Burrell. Anyway an excellant album.....
    	I'm curious if it has been reissued? on CD and cassette? I
    have my copy on a reel to reel which I have no way to play at the
    moment.  
1446.4Burrell/ColtraneTOOTER::WEBERTue Aug 29 1989 14:147
   "Kenny Burrell/John Coltrane" is available on a CD which combines the
    original single LP of that title with the earlier "The Cats".
    
    This is a good album, but it is far from the best work of either Kenny
    or John.
    
    Danny W.
1446.5and the answer is????VIDEO::BUSENBARKTue Aug 29 1989 15:346
    Danny,
    
    	What would you recomend for best of Burrell? (which is available?)
    
    							Rick
    
1446.6ZYDECO::MCABEEles haricotsTue Aug 29 1989 15:516
You like this guy, Danny?   :^)

OK, I'll have to check him out.  I've heard sooo much junk jazz guitar playing 
that I've just about lost interest in the field.  Maybe he'll renew my faith.

Bob
1446.7Kenny the R&B ManAQUA::ROSTSpeak to dogs in FrenchTue Aug 29 1989 20:2716
    
    Digressing only a little:
    
    A fascinating record to hear is "Rib Joint" by Sammy Price, on Savoy. 
    It's a two record set of 50s proto-R&B by pianist Price that has an
    incredibly *greasy* Kenny Burrell on one LP and a down and dirty Mickey
    Baker (of guitar method fame) on the other LP plus King Curtis to boot.
    
    Also, Danny, how about another note on Ms. Remler along with a list of
    good recordings?  I've been curious about her for awhile....
    
    
    							Brian
    
    P.S. I still like Scofield's "Shinola", even if he *is* limited.  Of
    course, having Steve Swallow in back of him helps a bit.
1446.8Some good onesTOOTER::WEBERTue Aug 29 1989 20:4525
    Some good stuff available on CD:
    
    "Midnite Blue"--this was actually something of a "hit" album when
    released, and singles from it appeared on jazz jukeboxes evrywhere.
    
    "Guitar Forms"--a tour de force, sort of a sampler of all traditional
    jazz forms.
    
    "Generation"--a guitar trio with rhythm section. A second set ("Pieces
    of the Blues", something like that) with the same group is okay
    but not quite as good.
    
    "Togethering" w/ Grover Washington, well recorded, but
    really vapid, fuzak stuff, typical of GW. This is about as light as
    jazz gets before evaporating completely.
    
    Some of his Five Spot things from the '50's are on CD. Still available
    on vinyl are "Heritage" and "Handcrafted" (very nice!). A CD called
    "For Charlie and Benny" is a retitle of "A Generation Ago Today", a
    pleasant, swing music nostalgia set.
    
    There are a lot of Kenny's recordings still in print.
    
    Danny W.
    good.
1446.9POBOX::DAVIAThat hammer done killed John HenryTue Aug 29 1989 21:3520
    
    
    Heritage, man I've listened to that quite a bit. It's fresh, fresh,
    fresh!!! The thing that struck me immediately was the selection
    of standards on the album. All tunes that I love, "Night in Tunisia",
    "Round Midnight", "St. Louis Blues", "Naima", "A Child is Born".
    The Thad Jones tune is a guitar solo by Kenny, which is beautiful.
    I appreciated it even more after I heard a Stanley Jordan version
    of the same tune that sounded like it was played on a Strat!! Nothing
    against Strat, mind you, but that thinness just doesn't cut it on 
    standards. 
   
    
    While we are at it, how about a note on Joe Pass (My favorite, Danny!).
    I can't believe a guitar conference doesn't have a note on Joe Pass
    (well, ok, I can believe it). I've got questions man, and I need
    answers!!!

	Phil
        
1446.10Any sheets?...VIDEO::BUSENBARKFri Sep 01 1989 13:063
    re. 7 And to add to the list of Ms Remeler's recordings... I'd like to
    know if there is a source where her music(lead sheets) can be had...
    whether ordered or just picked up. 
1446.11K.B @ DeCRANGER::WEBERTue Jul 09 1991 16:5837
    On July 7 the world's best jazz guitarist played to an almost packed
    house at the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA. As we drove to
    the concert, I was apprehensive, since the weather was threatening and
    Kenny's last few recording had seemed weak. Both fears were soon
    dispelled. Kenny played excellent, straight-ahead mainstream jazz and
    the intermittent, light rain didn't bother anyone in the spellbound
    audience.
    
    Kenny opened with a mid-tempo "Summertime" and continued with 45
    minutes of  mostly standards. After intermission, he continued in the
    same vein to a standing ovation. There is no sense in discussimg the
    highlights: every tune was a gem. A few of my favorites included a
    burning "Jeanine", "Yardbird Suite" done as a bossa nova and an encore
    of "A-Train" with a slow, out of tempo intro that evolved into a
    roaring express.  
    
    My favorite format for jazz guitar is backed with just bass and drums
    and Kenny is the all-time master of this style of playing. He was ably 
    supported by  Ralph Armstrong on drums and Yoron Israel on Bass, both
    of whom were inventive and exciting. Kenny played a mid-'60's
    florentine cut Gibson Super 400 CES through what looked like a Standel
    twin amp. Before the show, Kenny was experimenting with a reissue
    Fender Vibroverb, but couldn't get it to play at concert volume without 
    distortion. It sure looked pretty, though.
    
    The only glitch occured when Kenny switched to a flat-top for a couple
    of numbers. The rainy weather was causing it to go out of tune, so he
    abandoned it in the middle of the second song and stuck with the S400
    for the rest of the set.
    
    The DeCordova amphitheather is a wonderful place for a jazz concert.
    The setting is lovely, the acoustics excellent, sightlines are
    unobstructed, and Kenny's trio was sublime. The fact that it was our
    23rd wedding anniversary was the icing on the cake.
    
    Danny W.  
    
1446.12Lotus BlossomRANGER::WEBERFri Feb 02 1996 16:2312
    Kenny has an outstanding new CD entitled "Lotus Blossom". Playing
    mostly tunes he has recorded previously in a solo, duet and trio (bass
    & drums for the latter two) format, he is simply outstanding. Although
    a few of his recent recordings don't hold up to his live playing, this
    studio set does that quite well and is beautifully recorded, too.
    
    The tracks include both acoustic and electric guitars and Kenny shows
    once again that he is a master of the mainstream jazz guitar. With more
    than 60 records (as leader) over a 45-year period, you'd think he'd run
    out of ideas, but he sounds as fresh as ever. Very highly recommended.
    
    Danny W.