Moonglow
Bucky Pizzarelli & Frank Vignola
The jazz world has produced many great guitar duos. Some were ad hoc get-togethers for high-level jam sessions while others were more lasting partnerships. Legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli has played in both types, including his long partnership with the inimitable George Barnes and this one-time recording with modern wizard Frank Vignola.
When I spoke with Frank in Nashville back in 2009, he talked to me about their CD "Moonglow". and the session that produced it:
"That's my favourite, "Moonglow". That's my favourite CD that I've done, out of all 70 of them. Bucky and I, when we made that record we just sat down with the old fake book and just went through page by page and all of a sudden he would say 'Oh I love that one. I remember playing that one with the Andrews Sisters. Let's give that one a try'. And then we'd read it, get out the glasses with the music stands and read."
Now, if you didn't know the story you would never guess it from the music. Each song sounds like a well worked out arrangement, carefully practised and executed. From the first melody notes of Whispering through the exquisite comping, you know that you are in for some great music. These two great guitarists seem to spur each other to some of their finest playing on record. Just listen to how they shift gears together, adjusting to each other's subtlest of moves.
The magic continues with I Can Dream, Can't I. From its simple beginning with inspired flights of melody through subtle variations that keep the tune ever fresh, this is jazz at its finest.
Temptation begins with a Spanish-inspired mood that aptly demonstrates how a few well-chosen notes and chords can be more effective than cascades of scales. As with all of the tunes, it is worth learning the words to understand some of the great subtlety of the arrangements.
Moonlight Serenade brings us into the relaxed mood of a late evening soiree with music winding down the proceedings. The melody is like a jewel in a perfect setting to show off its lustre.
My Ideal is given a slightly bluesy feel ornamented with bent notes, palm muting, and a solid four-to-the-bar comping style. Just a beautiful performance.
The title track Moonglow begins with an extended rubato solo before settling into its up-tempo groove. Yet another great tune and arrangement that any music lover will take to instantly,and one that guitarists can learn a lot from.
In the Blue of Evening is another example of Bucky Pizzarelli's wonderful comping. Here he provides both bass and rhythm with a light swing to highlight the tune. Both of these guitarists are constantly working to make the song sound its best, and you can hear it in every track. It takes a great deal of skill to make playing sound this effortless.
When It's Sleepy Time Down South has a suitably laid-back feel, not quite lethargic but certainly in no hurry. The interplay of the guitars here is exceptional.
If I Had You is one of those songs that you often hear but very rarely played this well. Without the all too common sentimental approach you can hear the beauty of this melody as it should be played, along with some truly fine improvisation that glides smoothly back into the tune. A standout track on a great album.
We are treated to a more introspective mood with Golden Earrings, with lots of virtuosic blues-inflected improvisation.
Dream a Little Dream of Me receives the same unsentimental treatment as If I Had You and it makes a similarly fine impression. Musicians of all sorts will appreciate the variations of timbre that enliven each new verse. Nice.
P.S. I Love You is another beautiful ballad stylishly played. This one is a superb lesson in improvising on a melody without resorting to running scales. The tasteful variations of the melody make this another favourite track.
Serenade in Blue follows directly, almost forming a medley with the same mood cloaking another fine melody. It is a testament to both players that they could sit down with a fake book and pick out such a great set of songs.
I'm Confessin' puts a bit of a snap into the duo's step as they present yet another wonderful tune. This one features some improvising on the upper frets of the neck which makes a nice contrast with the previous few songs. Once again, the playing is as good as it gets.
One of the big surprises for me was the happy up-tempo version of Deep Purple. Used to hearing this one as a slow blues I was delighted to hear how well it works as a happy jaunt. Even on an album with so much fine playing the soloing on this tune is outstanding.
How else could this fine collection end but with a smooth ballad like You'll Never Know. This classy presentation of a lovely song ends this CD on a high note.
It's easy to see why this would be Frank Vignola's favourite CD. The album is an inspired selection of terrific tunes elegantly arranged and played to perfection by two of the best to have ever picked up a guitar. This CD is bound to be a favourite of virtually any guitarist, and anyone who enjoys fine music.
I can't recommend this one highly enough.
You can buy the entire album in MP3 format for under $9 at Amazon.com