Joe Pass - 'Guitar Virtuoso'

 

Just as Art Tatum could make a piano sound like an orchestra, Joe Pass could do the same with a guitar.

This is a nice 4CD overview of Joe's recordings for producer Norman Granz's Pablo label from 1973 to 1992, featuring him in a variety of settings.

CD1 is some of Joe's finest solo studio performances from the "Virtuoso" series of releases.

CD2 is Joe in small group studio contexts, including duets with guitarist Herb Ellis, a trio with Oscar Peterson on piano and Ray Brown on bass, and a quartet with Duke Ellington on piano, Brown on bass, and Louis Bellson on drums. 

CD3 is live solo and group performances. 

CD4 is Joe's oh-so-sympathetic accompaniment for artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, and duet tracks with guitarist John Pisano, tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims, and bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pederson.

I've seen Joe live in most of the above settings, and he was nothing short of breathtaking, in fact he was the best guitarist I've ever seen, and I've seen all the greats, in all genres, active from the 1960s to present.  Joe was all about technique, with no gimmicks, effects, pedal boards, etc. - he didn't need them. 

One time in the 80s, I saw him at The Blue Note jazz club in Greenwich Village, and after the show, instead of walking off-stage, he stayed, mingled, shook hands, signed autographs, and had brief conversations with everyone who hung around.  What struck me the most about meeting Joe, was his lack of ego, and his down to earth personality.  Joe Pass was a true gentleman.

If you want to freeload 'Guitar Virtuoso' tell us what was your favorite TV cartoon show, when you were a child.