FINALLY!
J. Passifiume | Columbus, OH United States | 04/03/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have only had a copy of this wonderful LP on a CDR recorded from a scratchy 33RPM record, and it's about time someone had the good sense to finally release it on CD. This is one of the all-time greatest guitar instrumental LPs, and Mickey is one of the most versatile guitarists of the "rock era." While he is best known for his work with Mickey and Sylvia and their hit "Love is Strange," Mickey was also one of the busiest session guitarists of the 1950s, and added his fretboard talents to sides by Little Willie John, "Champion" Jack Dupree, and Ruth Brown, among countless others. He was just as adept at gut-bucket R&B & blues riffing as he was with Jazz, and these skills are in full effect on this Disc. On the downside, the first 2 copies I recived have glitches in the disc. Hopefully Sepia Tone will correct this problem in future pressings. Now if someone will please re-issue George Barnes' classic 50s guitar instrumental LP "Country Jazz!""
Fabulous kitschy guitar!
B. P. Price | Portland, OR USA | 04/10/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I picked this CD up on a lark - I was ordering additional copies of Mickey Baker's Jazz Guitar book (really great books for non-jazzers who want extra flavor in their playing) when this popped up. I thought I knew this era of guitar, but I was really surprised and pleased by "Wildest Guitar".
Baker is having a great time on every echo-laden track, playing blues 'n' pop flavored instrumentals with a terrific twangy tone. Nothing deep here, but great fun. Perfect party music in classic early "super wide" stereo.
What is really notable is the recording date of 1959. "Wildest Guitar" contains strong elements of Surf guitar and the Ventures, and it echoes the landmark instrumental blues albums of the great Freddy King. But all of these were years away when Baker laid down these tracks. While little known as an album, it truly presages several significant trends in pop guitar.
5 stars for making me smile many times while listening. A really fun album, highly recommended."
Freakin' great CD!
Darrin Jones | San Diego, CA | 05/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is worth just having the Third Man Theme! Very surf sounding (before surf became a genre)with lots of delay and reverb playing I take to be a Fender Jazzmaster. Mickey Baker is awesome and now in my top guitar player pantheon. Now I'm going to have to track down his Jazz instructional books."