Search - Mundell Lowe, Lloyd Wells :: This One Is for Charlie

A Harmonic delight of two guitars

Frank | 04/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mundell Lowe of course is one the greats--harmonically deep, melodic, and smooth. This CD pairs him with guitarist Lloyd Wells who is apparently an industry insider with very impressive credentials in television and the recording industry. I admit I had never heard of him and I consider myself fairly well educated on jazz players. Either way, these two make a fine duo with Mr. Lowe taking most of the spotlight and Mr. Wells providing very tasteful and subdued backing, as well as some tasty solos against Mundell's chords. It sounds as if Well's is playing either a seven string guitar or a modified guitar with an octave bass string--very deep and quite beautiful sounding. The songs are all standards and a great selection. The refernce in the title is to Charlie Byrd who had recently passed when this was released. Charlie Byrd was a great player--but this CD has nothing to do with his music to my ears. I come back to this CD over the years and it always has something to say harmonically. Buy it. It is a lesson in jazz and jazz guitar."