Home | Contact Us CD Lists Cool Books Artist Reviews Collectibles Jazz Art Learn Jazz Links   Sumter Guitar CD List Chiaroscuro Jazz CDs Jazzspot Top CD Picks   Sumter Bruton Top 10 Guitar CDs > (A Subjective, But Quality List)   HERB ELLIS: Nothing But the Blues Verve 314 521 674-2 The liner notes say that Herb Ellis felt this to be his greatest accomplishment. Considering his pedigree with the likes of Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Joe Pass and others, that's saying something. This CD reunites a front line of Roy Eldridge on trumpet and Stan Getz on tenor, and the rhythm section is completed by Ray Brown, bass and Stan Levey, drums. While Roy and Stan seem an unlikely pair, they work well together because of their incredible musicianship and the balance between Roy's fiery attack and Stan's swinging, singing sound. But make no mistake about it - this is Herb's recording date, and he sets the tempo. The tracks - expecially the trad war horses Tin Roof Blues and Royal Garden Blues - sound like they were made for Ellis, and he gives a subtle, swinging treatment to Soft Winds. If you like blowing sessions that let everyone get his say, this is as satisfying a session as you'll find. The final four live tracks are new to this release, coming from a Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP) session the following year that included Dizzy Gillespie and Coleman Hawkins. If you had to pick up a couple of additional musicians, you'd certainly take the dean of tenor saxophonists and one of the founders of bebop. Everyone here knows each other, and the music is pleasurable as an addition, but the real meat of this CD is the studio session. At this writing, Herb Ellis still plays, and remains well-known, if not as famous as some of his contemporaries. However you slice it, this is a CD that you can keep with you and play often, and you're likely to notice a new wrinkle here and there. Playlist 1. Pap's Blues 2. Big Red's Boogie Woogie 3. Tin Roof Blues 4. Soft Winds 5. Royal Garden Blues 6. Patti Cake 7. Blues for Janet 8. Blues for Junior 9. Les Tricheurs 10. Clo's Blues 11. Phil's Tune 12. Mic's Jump Return to the list here or access individual choices: Johnny Smith Herb Ellis Bill Jennings/Jack McDuff Howard Roberts Vol. 1 Howard Roberts Vol. 2 Jimmie Rivers Billy Bean/John Pisano Jackie King Tal Farlow T-Bone Walker Home | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Contact Us ©2002 JazzSpot Inc.  All rights reserved.