This remastered re-release of the guitarist’s great solo album commences a reissue project from Livia, with further releases promised later this year.
Even the finest players rarely make albums of solo guitar. Joe Pass’s 1973 Virtuoso album proved uptempo solo jazz-guitar improvisation was feasible, despite the instrument’s technical demands. Stewart’s playing, most particularly on his blistering version of I’ll Remember April, matches anything on Pass’s album (there’s even a cheeky quotation from Pass in one of Stewart’s solos). Stewart overdubs second guitar on nine tracks so interactively that one wonders if solo or backing came first.
Inventiveness, variety, and technical virtuosity (befitting a sideman of Tubby Hayes and Benny Goodman) dazzles throughout this album, offering kaleidoscopic glimpses of inspirations and influences, alluding to greats such as Wes Montgomery, Tal Farlow, Jim Hall, Kenny Burrell, Lenny Breau and even Django. His approach is multi-faceted rather than derivative, the virtuosity transcending the borrowings, much as Oscar Peterson did with his pianist heroes.
What’s New, Lazy Afternoon and She Moved Through The Fair each reveal Stewart’s delicate side, while newer show-tunes and compositions by Steve Swallow and Charles Lloyd display his contemporary side. Darn That Dream showcases harmonic complexity, in Spring is Here the unusual slow/fast contrasts are exceptional, and Blue Bossa’s energetic virtuosity transforms Dorham’s chilled-out original. This album is compelling listening.
Discography
Blue Bossa*; Windows*; Darn That Dream; Wave*; She Moved Through the Fair; Make Someone Happy*; I’m All Smiles; Stella By Starlight*; Lazy Afternoon; Invitation*; I’m Old Fashioned; General Mojo’s Best Laid Plan*; What’s New; I’ll Remember April; Spring Is Here; Blues; Forest Flower; What’s New (alt); Spring Is Here (alt) (60.09)
Stewart (g, and on* overdubbed g). Dublin, November 1976 and January 1977.
Livia Records LRCD2201
