- Fred
- Polka Dots and Moon Beams
- Rose Room
- Midnight Sun
- A Sleepin’ Bee
- At Sundown
- I’ll Remember April
- The Second Movement of Sonatina
- Darn That Dream
- Avalon
- Early Autumn
- Graham Avenue Stroll
- How Long Has This Been Going On
- The Way you Look Tonight
- Variations and Fugue No. 9 on La Folia
Bucky & John Pizzarelli - Electric Guitars
This is a really nice record,
two expert jazz guitarists, Bucky (father)
and John (son). Both are players much to be
admired, Bucky has been around a long time,
at one time he was a member of Benny Goodman’s
Band, but his skills are undiminished and
still in big demand.
I saw John with his Quartet
at the San Javier Jazz Festival in 2005, where
they stole the show. They are returning this
year, I have tickets already and this year
they have Harry Allen joining them as a guest.
The sleeve tells us that Zoot Sims was a big
favourite of both the Pizzarellis, so that
bodes well because Harry is the same type
of player as Zoot.
The choice of tunes is also
excellent, A Sleepin’ Bee is certainly one
tune we don’t hear often enough, but all the
selections reflect a desire to play swinging
compositions that make great vehicles for
improvisations.
The two guitars combine well
to give a feeling of completeness, without
the need for further instrumentation. In his
excellent sleeve note John tells a little
about his family, it is a story of love and
mutual admiration. It is an indication as
to the kind of music we can expect from musicians
comfortable with their environment and not
bugged by hang-ups.
Bucky has a love of classical
guitar playing and his skill in this field
is amply demonstrated on tracks 8 & 15.
This record is ideal to sit
and listen to in a comfortable chair and let
it’s warmth surround you!
Don Mather