Subj : Jazz guitar To : Martin Ridgley From : Paul Lawson Date : Sat Jul 22 2000 06:22 am Martin Ridgley wrote in a message to Paul Lawson: -=> Paul Lawson wrote to Martin Ridgley <=- MR> True. I'm no authority on music history either, but it seems MR> that for some reason, during that same period, there was a lot of MR> interest in jazz amongst the college and university crowds. Now MR> it seems to be mainly alternative pop/rock. I think at the time jazz was the cutting edge of non-conformity, ouside the box and all that. I think that's the primary appeal to the college crowd. MR> I'm afraid I'm in much the same boat that you are, Paul. I'm MR> not really up to date with many of the more recent players on the MR> scene. I actually asked the question in the hopes of getting some MR> tips and opinions on some of them from *you*! Most of the people I know who listen to jazz prefer the "smooth" or pop jazz varieties. Hrd core jazz and fusion lovesae damned hard to find. Most of the players I know about I found from bying CDs blind. It's been a long time since I've bought anything unknown. Too many CDs in the buy cue as it is these days.. MR> Let's see... of the players you mentioned above, I've really MR> only listened to Metheny, Holdsworth, and McLaughlin. I do have Metheny is my favorite player. If his name is on the liner notes, I'll buy it. MR> one album by John Scofield - "Time On My Hands" (1990) - which I Tt' pretty indicative of most of his playing. I like Scofield and buy most of his CDs when I see them. His earlier stuff is more fusiony. Of his early stuff, my favorite is "Still Warm". I recently picked up (what I believe) is his latest called "Scofield A Go Go" f I recall. Very funky, very reminiscent of his older material. MR> quite like. I heard some of Al DiMeola's early work, but his MR> playing didn't do much for me and I haven't paid much attention to Yeah he has that effect on lots of people. I just love his early stuff! Very firey player and the technique is scary! Cuts like "Dark Eye Tango" (Casino) and "ritmo de la noche" (can't recall which CD) are high water marks in latin style fusion IMHO. MR> him since the '70s. Several people have recommended Stanley MR> Jordan to me, but I have yet to hear him. Care to suggest a good Jordan is interesting if nothing else for his technique. he literally plays guitar like a piano. I saw him on Austin City limits several years ago. He had a guitar strapped on and another on a keyboard type stand and was playing both at the same time. He plays bass rythum and lead at the same time tapping with both hands. Comparing his tapping technique to VanHalen is roughly akin to comparing a toddlers finger painting to a Monet. His tone blows, very tinny, I think due mainly to the technique employed though but he has done some very nice stuff. I have his first two CDs and prefere his first (self titled). MR> is Birelli Lagrene. Can anyone here tell me anything about his MR> style, and/or suggest an album? I'm not familiar with his playing at all but the name is familiar... MR> Put like that, it sounds kind of amusing, but I have to agree. MR> I'm a fan of Joe Pass too, but I find Lenny Breau's solo playing MR> much more fluid and 'musical', if I can use that rather vague MR> term. That's something I'll have to look for. MR> Anyway, in recent years not many people in my social circle have MR> been into jazz - one reason why I'm not up on some of the new MR> players on the scene - so it's great to be able to chat with MR> someone about it. As I said above, I'm about in the same boat. I used to exchange cassettes of favorite players/pieces with a guy on the echo years ago. It was a lot of fun and I picked up a group of new players that way. Technology marching on, I can now do the same with CDs. If you'd be interested, I'd be happy to exchange some favorites with you. My E-mail is plawson@concentric.net. Drop me a line with your address and I'll put a CD togetherof some of my favorite players/pieces. Paul --- timEd 1.10.y2k * Origin: Paul's point, Salt Lake City, Utah. (1:218/704.16) .