Wednesday 18 August 2010

3. Eddie Lang: Jazz Guitar Virtuoso

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This album includes some of the greatest tracks recorded by the first jazz guitar virtuoso, Eddie Lang. Eddie was the most sought after session guitarist in the 1920's. These tracks show his versatility. Songs like "Prelude" show him employing jazz standard techniques such as the use of octaves and harmonics. Also included are the tracks he cut with his peers including Carl Kress ("Picking My Way"), Kress employing a strumming solo technique while Lang wows us with blistering appregios that would become standard jazz guitar fare thirty years down the line. His ear for the Blues is also demonstrated on the tracks recorded with Lonnie Johnson, including "Blue Guitars" and "Blue Room". A great album showcasing an extremely innovative guitar player. The sound quality is excellent considering that these were recorded in the 1920's and early 1930's.

1. Prelude
2. Picking My Way
3. Rainbow Dreams
4. Blue Guitars
5. April Kisses
6. I'll Never Be The Same
7. Blue Room
8. Eddie's Twister
9. Midnight Call Blues
10. Perfect
11. A Little Love, A Little Kiss
12. Melody Man's Dream
13. Pickin' My Way
14. Church Street Sobbin' Blues