Search - Joe Pass :: Blues for Fred

If Segovia Played Jazz

David K. Bell | Portland, Oregon United States | 04/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I like to think that if Segovia played jazz, he would have sounded a lot like this album. The virtuosity, tone and playful mastery of Pass's playing is as unsurpassed among jazz guitarists as Segovia's was in the classical realm.



This is Joe Pass solo, and it is simply jaw dropping. If you are an avid jazz listener, you will be amazed and delighted. If like me, you try to play jazz guitar yourself, you will be stupified.



Yes, the brilliant, flawless technique is here, but it isn't showy or forced. The tracks were recorded in 1988, late in Pass's career, and his restraint, taste and maturity reflect it.



The tune selection is a delight. Who could argue with any of them? And Joe's chord voicings, harmonic choices and rhythmic scamperings bring out the playful best in each. They are all played in the chord/melody style that I think no one does better than Joe Pass.



Fun for everyone and an eat-your-heart-out must for all guitar players."

Pass at his very best

R. Haft | 08/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been amazed by Joe Pass's playing for more than thirty years. This is surely one of his best recordings. Joe had so much technique that sometimes it seemed like he pushed the envelope too much, always searching for something new. This is Joe playing totally in the pocket - tunes that had become a part of his fabric. Every tune is beautiful with stellar playing and concept. You just can't ask or hope for anything more from solo jazz guitar playing of jazz classics. Cheek to Cheek starts off the set and establishes an impossible level of musicianship to maintain, yet Pass does so with aplomb. As Randy Jackson say... "Wow!... Wow!.... Wow!..." - in other words, speechless!"

One of my favorite Joe Pass albums

Keith | LA, California | 01/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is in my opinion a very underrated Joe Pass cd. I have never heard him play so eloquent, so precise, and beautiful as he does solo on this cd or his playing with an orchestra on "In Hamburg". This album is dedicated to the great, Fred Astaire. All of the songs are tunes that are associated closely with Fred except for Joe's own "Tap Blues" included here as a bonus. He effortlessly runs through great tunes like "Cheek to Cheek", "Night and Day", "Dancing in the Dark", "Oh Lady, Be Good", "The Way You Look Tonight", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", etc. displaying his normal virtuosity with outstanding lyricism and unbelievable technique. This to me is Joe at his near best. Any fan of jazz, guitar, Joe Pass, or music in general should not miss hearing this one."