Pass, Joe - Meditation - Solo Guitar

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Pablo
Catalog Number: 974
Format: CD
Total Time: 49:56:00

Joe Pass was beside himself when label owner Norman Granz suggested that he play solo. He mentioned that the renowned Segovia, the greatest guitar player in the world played solo, so why not? Joe was very humble, and he would not think of looking upon himself in the same light as a Segovia. In reality, he was in that class of players.

For three fantastic dates in the winter of 1993 at Yoshi's in Oakland California, Pass played solo guitar as if he was born to do so. He was a master at taking jazz standards like Ellington's "Mood Indigo" and turning it into a classic rendition of his own. Another fine example is the Porter classic "It's All Right With Me." He treated every song with gentleness and added his exquisite touch to make guitar magic like few ever have. As noted in the fine liner notes by Ken Dryden ... he never went onstage with a planned set, he played everything completely spontaneously. How many artists, jazz legends included, did that?

The nice thing about a release like this is that it is so fresh. It is not another rehashed album. From what I have read, there are many of these recordings just waiting to see the light of day for the first time. I truly look forward to hearing everything that has been sitting in the vaults. This was such a special recording and his music was so important to jazz and all the people that enjoy the particular brand of music live and in the studio. It is all so beautiful just like it is, purely instrumental. In fact, words would probably ruin it. There have not been many men that have played the electric guitar with such passion and fire while keeping that kind of energy harnessed, allowing the true essence and beauty of the instrument to be heard. Joe Pass was one that did it naturally.

Tracklisting:
Meditation (Meditação) (4:52) / Shadow Waltz (2:05) / Mood Indigo (3:24) / More Than You Know (3:52) / When Your Lover Has Gone (6:41) / Everything Happens To Me (4:41) / It's All Right With Me (4:51) / I'll Never Be The Same (4:59) / You Stepped Out Of A Dream (3:54) / All The Things You Are (4:06) / How Deep Is The Ocean? (6:29) / They Can't Take That Away From Me (2:42)

Musicians:
Joe Pass - guitar

Discography:
Live At Donte's (1974)
Resonance (2000)
What Is There To Say: Joe Pass Solo Guitar (2001)
Ella Fitzgerald & Joe Pass - Sophisticated Lady (2001)
Meditation: Solo Guitar (2002)
See www.fantasyjazz.com for more

Genre: Jazz-Trad. Jazz

Origin US

Added: December 2nd 2002
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website:
Hits: 1894
Language: english