Search - Mick Goodrick :: Sunscreams

Definitive Modern Jazz Guitar and Saxophone Sound

John Russon | Toronto, ON Canada | 05/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first encountered Mick Goodrick on Steve Swallow's incredible album from 2000, "Always Pack Your Uniform on Top," and I was so impressed that I hunted down some of his own work. This 1994 album by the Mick Goodrick Quartet is a fabulous representative of the modern state of jazz, and especially of the role of the guitar in that context. The guitar has gradually developed its own unique voice in jazz, especially since around 1980, and with a player like Mick Goodrick it has clearly come into its own. On this album, he is paired with contemporary sax-guru Jerry Bergonzi and the two play with a great complementarity (and check out his pairing with Chris Potter on the Steve Swallow album). Beyond anything about the guitar, or the current state of the art, though, this is just a great listening experience. The album begins with a powerful version of Dave Brubeck's classic tune, "In Your Own Sweet Way," and I especially like the version of the Rodgers and Hart tune, "Spring is Here." Most of the other tunes are originals by Jerry Bergonzi or bassist Bruce Geertz, and all are excellent compositions. This is a state of the art album, and I recommend it highly."