"Tony Mottola (not to be confused with Mariah Carey's ex-husband, Tommy Mottola) is one of the most listened to guitarists, if not well-known names, in pop music history. In addition to dozens of his own albums, he was featured on nearly 150 of Enoch Light's pioneering stereo LPs for Command and Project 3, as well as countless pop and jazz studio sessions. Television viewers heard Mottola with the Tonight Show band, and concert audiences saw him accompanying Perry Como and Frank Sinatra.This disc collects sixteen tracks from 1967-1983, highlighting Mottola's fluid, relaxed style in small group settings. His playing swings ever-so-easily between tin-pan alley ("Stardust" "Always"), jazz standards ("Satin Doll"), Sinatra's songbook ("All the Way" "Fly Me to the Moon"), and even soft-rock classics (Bread's "If"). Though not the dizzying, channel-romping productions of his work with Light, the instruments of Dick Hyman, Joe Venuto and Bucky Pizzarelli are broadly panned for maximum stereo satisfaction.Mottola's was heavily influenced (as was virtually every guitarist starting out in the '40s) by Charlie Christian. Over the years he developed a warm tone and melodic touch similar to Wes Montgomery's lighter side, turning romantic ballads such as these into smooth, mood-soothing music. Perfect for a candlelight dinner or a quiet read on the couch."
Frank Sinatra's Favorite Guitarist!
hyperbolium | 02/06/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love guitarists. The guitar is an instrument that I love to hear competent musicians play. One of the most underrated, in my humble opinion, is Tony Mottola. He once was listed as one of Frank Sinatra's favorite guitarists. He has toured with Sinatra as well. This collection is just beautiful guitar playing at it's best. Subtlety and emotion shine through every note Mr. Mottola strums, picks or plays a string. If you want to hear classic standards like It Had To Be You, So Nice (summer Samba), Tea For Two, Bewitched, Satin Doll, et al, this collection is a good one to pick up. I play it at dinner parties, when I read or sometimes when I am typing a report for work. I know 3 people who have purchased this CD because they heard me playing it. I also recommend this to Guitar afficionados AND music students."
Good, but far from the original
Ian Daimler | Hamburg, Germany | 02/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Love the music, but I was hoping the CD would include the same tracks as the original Total Sound LP release. I came across an original unopened LP from 1966 which has only 2 of the same tracks found on the CD. The original track listing is: 1. Heart and Soul 2. If He Walked into My Life 3. Lullabye of The Leaves 4. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You 5. Tony's Tune 6. Little Girl Blue (Side 2) 1. Georgia 2. Love is Here to Stay 3. Jimmy's Blues 4. The Gang that Sang Heart of My Heart 5. The Impossible Dream 6. My IdealBut, what can I say, it's Tony Mottola! You can't go wrong with this album either way."
Lifetime of Admiration
Lee R. Murphy | Pagosa Springs, CO, USA | 02/27/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am 70 and have played guitar since I was 13. That was about the time I discovered Tony Mottola, first playing the theme for the old B&W TV show "Danger", then on the radio and records. He has always ranked at the top of the guitar artists with me. This disk, "Heart & Soul Guitar" captures the artistry, the pure style, the very essence of Tony's fabulous guitar playing talent with a selection of his best song arrangements. I only wish I had more of his recordings. He is a true legend, and will be missed. I would advise everyone who loves beautiful, relaxing guitar music to purchase this disk before it is gone."
Tony Mattola Heart and Soul Guitar
Timothy Wright | 09/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"An outstanding classic jazz song collection. The songs are dated but the style of guitar and technique are still great. Sounds like a lounge in Vegas in '68."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1