Joe Pass

[Alon Marcus]

I think there wasn't a thread about him. IMO he was a genius of simplicity. Joe really made the guitar move more to the spotlight. Many fine guitar players had difficulties, especially when playing long and fast bebop lines, compared to wind instruments. Jim Hall and Wes somehow managed to solve the problem by original concepts (technique and music) of playing and improvising, but it was Joe who could really compete with such virtuosos as Bud Shank, Dizzy or OP.

His musical abilities are even greater than technical (IMO):

1. He has a terrific sense of rhythm and swing and never looses it playing even by himself and in fast tempos.

2. Joe had a rare melodic gift. The ways his lines interweave and develop logically is really outstanding concerning every other instrumentalist.

Now it's time to talk about your favorite recordings from him.

[JohnS]

I've liked all the Pacific Jazz recordings I've heard. I'm going to have to get the Mosaic set before very long. Not so keen on the Pablos though.

[Alon Marcus]

The Pacific records are amazing. I think that the new mosaic box doesn't contain everything he did in that company. For example "Sounds of Synanon" is not there.

Edited November 15, 2004 by ztrauq22

[Bright Moments]

Oscar Peterson Et Joe Pass a Salle Pleyel [LIVE]

[Noj]

I dig the Virtuoso albums and a duo album with JJ Johnson "We'll Be Together Again." I'll buy more at some point. I haven't bought any Mosaics since my first two, I may get the Pass when I do.

[Jim R]

For those who like Joe's earlier work, but aren't quite interested enough to take the Mosaic plunge, I would highly recommend looking for a copy of the JOYSPRING CD

(recorded in '64; released on LP as part of the LT series; and released on CD circa 1996). A very nice quartet recording with Mike Wofford, Jim Hughart, and Colin Bailey. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I would also recommend tracking down the PJ recordings CATCH ME (an old import CD that may be hard to find) and FOR DJANGO.

I'll second the rec for the duet disc with JJ.

Edited November 15, 2004 by Jim R

[Tony Pusey]

I went for the Mosaic, added a dash of the K2 version of Virtuoso and voila! I think I probably have everything I am going to need of Joe.

[mikeweil]

For those who like Joe's earlier work, but aren't quite interested enough to take the Mosaic plunge, I would highly recommend looking for a copy of the JOYSPRING CD

(recorded in '64; released on LP as part of the LT series; and released on CD circa 1996). A very nice quartet recording with Mike Wofford, Jim Hughart, and Colin Bailey. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I had that one and sold it - he didn't get me there. Same with the Pablo solo albums. I'm not that much of a guitar freak, maybe someone more into the instrument can appreciate him better. Just me, of course.

The first album where I really dug him was Richard Groove Holmes' Trio on Pacific Jazz:

Pass is on half the albums and swings like mad and with melodic invention.

[pryan]

I have a few albums by Joe (all different contexts). Most recently I picked up a trio session entitled, Eximious. NHOP is on bass. Recommended. The other two albums I own are FOR DJANGO (on Pacific Jazz) and VIRTUOSO.

BTW, how is the Pablo solo box? Too much or consitently high quality, or both?

[Jim R]

Pass is on half the albums and swings like mad and with melodic invention.

Which is exactly what he does on JOYSPRING (where he's on the whole album.

In general, the Pablo era is not as much my cup of tea. As far as the box, I think most people would perhaps find it too much of a good thing. I enjoy hearing the first "Virtuoso" disc from time to time, but as great as it is, I don't often hunger for more.

[GA Russell]

My favorite of his is his Christmas album, Six String Santa.

I just opened up his Pacific Jazz Best of last week to listen to on my new car CD player. It's a good album.

I can also recommend his Pablo album I Remember Charlie Parker.

[Alon Marcus]

Here is a short review of his solo albums that I have:

Virtuoso – has some good moments musically, mostly standards. Not my favorite though the version of How high the moon is classic. Sometimes he works with a thin sound that I don't like very much. Nevertheless it's historically important (the first entire solo jazz guitar album).

Virtuoso 2 – much better album, Joe is playing some more modern songs like Joy Spring (this solo version is amazing), Giant Steps and two songs from Chick Corea.

Virtuoso 3 - – the best in the series (IMHO). Joe sounds very inspired, playing his own compositions. The interest is maintained throughout the whole disc.

Virtuoso 4 is just for guitar and Joe Pass freaks.

Blues for Fred – nice record, some tracks are great (like Cheek to cheek).

I remember Charlie Parker – Joe doesn't sound good when playing on acoustic guitar with fingers (IMO) but some of the tracks are very good. His harmonic and structural imagination is evident on "Summertime".

[Jim R]

Virtuoso – has some good moments musically, mostly standards. Not my favorite though the version of How high the moon is classic. Sometimes he works with a thin sound that I don't like very much. Nevertheless it's historically important (the first entire solo jazz guitar album).

Actually, no. That is an error that's kind of widespread, unfortunately. It was definitely important as a solo jazz guitar album, but it's not even close to being the first. George Van Eps is the godfather of solo playing, and probably did the first solo "album"; Johnny Smith recorded a solo album; as did Al Viola; and there may be other players I'm forgetting. All of these guys did their first solo albums in the 50's.

[Alon Marcus]

Virtuoso – has some good moments musically, mostly standards. Not my favorite though the version of How high the moon is classic. Sometimes he works with a thin sound that I don't like very much. Nevertheless it's historically important (the first entire solo jazz guitar album).

Actually, no. That is an error that's kind of widespread, unfortunately. It was definitely important as a solo jazz guitar album, but it's not even close to being the first. George Van Eps is the godfather of solo playing, and probably did the first solo "album"; Johnny Smith recorded a solo album; as did Al Viola; and there may be other players I'm forgetting. All of these guys did their first solo albums in the 50's.

Thanks for the info JimR. I'm not familiar with the players you mentioned at all.

[Alon Marcus]

After recording an entire album solo it was easy for Joe to take part in exotic ensembles. I didn't hear many records with vibraphone, bass and guitar like this one.

The duet with NHOP is terrific

He was probably the only guitarist who could compete with the virtuosity and technique of Peterson (also with NHOP).

One more collaboration with Peterson is this wonderful 80's album.

The Bach suite

Piano less band with Dizzy

The big 4

The duet with J.J.Johnson was already mentioned, more great duets are with Zoot Sims and with Ella.