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Originally Posted by milkweg /img/forum/go_quote.gif
No specific albums but my two favourite jazz guitarists would be Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass. Blues would be Stevie Ray Vaughn and Albert King.
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You Like Albert and Stevie? He's a review I did of their album.
Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan In Session
Released on Stax, August 17, 1999
They say not to judge a book by it's cover, but when it comes to this CD, one look and you can be pretty sure that you're in for a rare treat. Believe me, it does exactly what it says on the tin. I challenge you to check out the picture above and not smile in expectation. In the red corner, armed with a Fender Stratocaster, Stevie Ray Vaughan, alias "The Young Pretender", complete with hat, scarf and jeans. In the blue corner, packing a Gibson Flying V, the southpaw and reigning champion, Albert King sporting a 3 piece suit and a pipe. I'm grinning just writing this because I know what's coming.
Yes folks, this is it. The only known recording featuring two of the greatest "git fiddlers" ever to play the blues. The concept behind the live album is a series of made for TV "In Session" concerts produced for Canadian TV back in the early 80's. I don't know who else appeared in the series, and frankly, I don't care. This is the ultimate blues summit and all else pales into insignificance after just one listen.
Each instrument seems to suit their respective styles. The harsh, fast, loud sound of the Strat is ideal for Stevie's no holds barred, balls out blues blasting. On the other hand, the slightly mellower, more muted tone of the Gibson suits King's smoother, more fluid phrasing. All through the album, both of them turn in extraordinary solo's, setting the strings alight with virtuosity of the highest order. Each takes what the other has done and builds on it, raising the standard until they are playing out of their skins. It's an album that sends shivers down your spine.
Yet the true beauty of this album is not just the breathtaking guitar wizardry, but the verbal jousting and banter that goes on between the tracks. These two, though rivals, are clearly old friends who enjoy the cut and thrust of the duel. You can hear their mutual respect and the way they watch, listen and learn from each other. On "Blues Before Sunrise", Albert "reaches down and gets something from the bottom", jamming low down on the fretboard, effortlessly gliding over the thicker strings. Later in the song when it's his turn, Stevie is copying his mentor. "I like that", say's Albert. "That sound familiar" he chuckles. Stevie laughs, and launches into a blistering solo of his own. It was a two way street, with Albert urging Stevie to "play it again", so he could follow a particularly tricky passage.
What we have here is a truly great blues record, one of my top 2 favourites, a master class for aspiring blues guitarists everywhere.
I suggest that you buy this CD for what it is. A blues masterpiece that can sadly never be recreated.
ALBERT KING
http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/StevieRayVaughan/