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MARCH /
APRIL 2004
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LARRY
CARLTON
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KEN
HATFIELD
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RICHARD
ROBINSON |
THE
SPOTNICKS |
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RICHARD GILEWITZ
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LARRY CARLTON
Sapphire Blue
(Bluebird)
He
rose to fame playing guitar with Steely Dan and went on to work with
music legends as diverse as Chet Atkins and Joni Mitchell. In 2004,
esteemed guitar ace Larry Carlton releases his solo debut for Bluebird
Records. Featuring the rousing horn arrangements of the illustrious
Jim Horn, Sapphire Blue finds Carlton backed up by a range
of top players including Michael Rhodes (bass), Reese Wynan
(B-3 organ), Terry McMillan (harmonica) and Billy Kilson.
A blues-based album featuring eight Carlton originals, the CD finds
the guitarist stretching out on an all instrumental set that combines
the finest elements of guitar-based swing jazz with melodic bluesy inventiveness.
The album also shines a light on Carltons appreciation for enduring
blues guitar giants like B.B. King. According to Carlton, The
simplicity and the harmonic limitations of the blues are a real plus
because they make it easier for emotion to take over as you play.
Recorded in Nashville in 2003, Sapphire Blue is a long overdue
blues statement from a guitarist who grew up listening to Pass, Kessel
and Montgomery as well as B.B. King and Ray Charles. While his instrumental
blues album may be a long time coming, Larry Carltons been playing
the blues to live crowds for years adding, It doesnt matter
what theyve come to hear. When I play the blues, thats when
I most passionately connect with them and my guitar. www.larrycarlton.com
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KEN
HATFIELD TRIO
The
Surrealist Table
(Arthur Circle)
A
veritable Picasso of the jazz guitar world, NYC-based guitarist Ken
Hatfield released his fifth solo album as a leader in February of 2004.
Supported by the keen rhythm section of Jeff Hirshfield (drums)
and Hans Glawischnig (bass), Hatfields unique approach
to playing jazz on the nylon string guitar tastefully breathes new life
into a range of exalted guitar influences, achieving some sublime and
highly listenable results. Influenced early on in his career by fretboard
legends such as Charlie Byrd, Wes Montgomery and Ralph Towner, Hatfield
grew up with a love of the blues andcombining a flair for jazz,
Brazilian bossa nova rhythms and even ragtimehe comes full circle
on The Surrealist Table. In the spirit of the guitar greats who
influenced him, you could continually listen to Hatfield play and come
away with fresh impressions over and again. Hatffields worked
with many jazz greats over the yearsincluding Charlie Byrd, drummer
Chico Hamilton and B-3 masters Jimmy McGriff and Jack McDuff, and that
depth of experience and ardent commitment to bring the guitar into the
now, makes The Surrealist Table an album to devour deeply. www.kenhatfield.com
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RICHARD
ROBINSON
Watercolors
(RR)
A
noteworthy acoustic guitar album guaranteed to lower your stress levels,
Watercolors is a fine introduction to New York-based guitarist
Richard Robinson. The ten track 2003 CD provides some appealing musical
scenery and in some respects recalls some of Pat Methenys noble
acoustic moments. In his own words, Robinson adds, I would describe
the CD as musical impressionism. Each piece was written on site at a
particular body of water. Robinsonrecording direct to DAT,
often in one takemakes excellent use of his Yamaha LL-5 acoustic.
Citing a number of guitar influencesincluding Eric Clapton, Kenny
Burrell, Steve Howe, Larry Carlton, Mike Bloomfield, B.B. King, Wes
Montgomery and Pat MartinoRobinson steps into the spotlight with
his excellent Watercolors CD. www.rrguitar.com
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THE SPOTNICKS
Back
To The Roots
(Magic)
Although
Magic Records is quite well known for their 60s reissues, theyve
also released a new for 2003 CD, entitled Back To The Roots,
from Swedish instrumental pioneers The Spotnicks. Often referred to
as Swedens version of The Shadows, The Spotnicks recorded numerous
albums for Swedish Polydor back in the 60s, many of which have
already been reissued on CD by Magic in the past few years. Still featuring
original Spotnicks guitarists Bo Winberg (lead) and Bob
Lander (rhythm guitar), the five piece band romp their way through
28 rocking guitar instro tracks, including favorites like Ghost
Riders In The Sky, Sleepwalk, Moonshot,
In The Mood and lots more. Extra points for the cool cover
art of The Spotnicks taken in 2002 at Piccadilly Circus in Londonwhich
was taken precisely the same spot where, 40 years ago the group posed
for their 1962 debut album Out A Space / The Spotnicks In London.
www.magic-records.com
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EDO
Edo
(Earthwire)
A
master of the seven string bass, electric upright and Chapman stick,
California-based Edo released his self-titled CD debut in 2003. Edo's
ten track CD features highly original, lushly recorded, sonic instrumental
jazz...it simply doesnt get much better than this. Supported by
a talented crew, including guitarist/producer Drew Youngs, drummer
Paul Van Wageningen, and a number of fine players, Edos
album achieves a perfect musical ambience thats equally reminiscent
of the ECM sound, the pastoral ambience of French impressionist Erik
Satie and the cool groove of 60s West Coast lounge jazz. Edo turns
in a fine performance on his excellent sounding Conklin Guitars and
AccuGroove Bass Cabinets. A scenic soundtrack for your next long drive,
Edos beguiling music will massage your mind. www.cdbaby.com/cd/edo
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RICHARD
GILEWITZ
Thumbsing
(Gillazilla)
Described
as a thumbprint of instrumental singings from the guitar,
Thumbsing is the fifth CD from Inverness, Florida-based 6 &12
string acoustic guitarist Richard Gilewitz. Featuring seven originalsalong
with six interesting covers including a Bach lute piece and tracks written
by Michael Hedges, John Fahey and John RenbournThumbsing
portrays Gilewitz as a modern day acoustic guitar innovator willing
to take chances yet just as eager to point out where it all started
from. A guitarist with considerable might and mastery, Gilewitz has
shared the stage with guitar greats such as his mentor John Fahey, as
well as Leo Kottke, Steve Morse, Adrian Legg and John Renbourn. Anyone
familiar with those acoustic guitar legends will be equally intrigued
by the noteworthy insights Gilewitz brings to the guitar world. www.richardgilewitz.com
Attention Artists and Record Companies: Have your CD reviewed
in mwe3.com and 20th Century Guitar. Send to P.O. Box 630249, Little
Neck, N.Y. 11363-0249
Contact: rss54@mwe3.com
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Attention
Artists and Record Companies: Have your CD reviewed by mwe3.com. Send to:
MWE3.com CD Reviews Editor Robert Silverstein,
P.O. Box 630249, Little Neck, N.Y. 11363-0249
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