Joe Pass Albums (47)
What The Critics Say
The saying that "life begins at 40" is certainly open to debate -- especially if you live in a youth-obsessed culture like the United States. But for jazz artists, there can be some truth in that saying; the history of jazz is full of artists who did some of their best work after 40. Joe Pass is a perfect example; Pass turned 40 in 1969, and the '70s were an amazingly productive time for the late guitar icon (who recorded frequently during that decade thanks to Pablo founder Norman Granz). In fact, Pass did so much recording during the '70s that albums of previously unreleased material were still coming out long after his death from cancer in 1994. Virtuoso in New York, for example, is an album of recordings that went unreleased for 29 years; recorded in 1975, these Granz-produced performances didn't see the light of day until 2004. And for serious Pass collectors, the arrival of Virtuoso in New York is very good news; performing unaccompanied -- no bass, no drums, no piano -- Pass is in fine form on familiar standards like "The Way You Look Tonight" and "We'll Be Together Again." The solo guitar format is one that Pass was quite fond of, and it serves him enjoyably well whether he is turning his attention to George Gershwin's "How Long Has This Been Going On" or Kurt Weill's "Mack the Knife" (also known as "Moritat" or "Threepenny Opera"). As much as Virtuoso in New York has going for it, this 49-minute CD falls short of essential -- there are no compelling reasons why someone with a more casual interest in Pass' legacy would choose this release over, say, 1973's stunning, absolutely essential Virtuoso. Nonetheless, Virtuoso in New York is a pleasing disc that the guitarist's hardcore fans will easily enjoy. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Sueno Navideno Con Guitarra'
Release Date 10/7/2003
Tracks 10
Label Delta
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'Sounds of Synanon'
Release Date 10/29/2002
Tracks 8
Label Japanese Import
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What The Critics Say
A significant recording, as this is Joe Pass' debut on vinyl. It was recorded while Pass was still a patient at the Synanon Drug Center in California. Made with fellow patients, Pass proved to be a star. It is interesting to note that Pass played an electric solid-body rock guitar, as he did not even own a guitar at this time. His legendary chops are especially evident on "Projections" and "Hang Tough," featuring some of his cleanest playing ever recorded. His accompanists prove to be adequate, but hardly approach the genius of Pass. A landmark recording in the history of jazz guitar. ~ Robert Taylor, All Music Guide
'Meditation: Solo Guitar'
Release Date 10/1/2002
Tracks 12
Label Pablo
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What The Critics Say
Joe Pass achieved extraordinary balance in his career. Because he remained grounded in bop and swing, his guitar work was more conservative than many fusion and post-bop players, but his solo guitar work also ventured into unexplored territory, combining the single-note dexterity of Charlie Christian with the block chords of Carl Kress. Meditation: Solo Guitar offers a fresh release from Pass, recorded live at Yoshi's in 1992, two years before his death. As Ken Dryden points out in the liner notes, the release isn't just "a case of posthumously cleaning out the vaults." Like the critically acclaimed Virtuoso series, Meditation exhibits a number of intricate interpretations of classic pieces by one man and his guitar. The title also captures the intimacy of Pass' work on "Everything Happens to Me" and "Mood Indigo." He seems so absorbed in his work, so alone, that it comes as a shock when the audience applauds at the end of each piece. Pass also covers Cole Porter's "It's All Right With Me," Irving Berlin's "How Deep Is the Ocean?," and the Gershwin brothers' "They Can't Take That Away From Me." Pass' technique manages to follow his own muse, changing tempos at will without ever losing the rhythm of the tune. Meditation is a fine album and a superior addition to the guitarist's catalog. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Joe Pass thrived on intimate settings. The late improviser had no problem doing without a pianist, and many of his Pablo recordings of the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s found him leading small guitar trios or performing as an unaccompanied solo guitarist. That type of intimate setting serves him impressively well on Resonance, which was recorded live at Donte's in North Hollywood, CA (a suburb of Los Angeles) in December 1974 and finds him leading a trio that includes Jim Hughart on electric bass and Frank Severino on drums. Pass doesn't have a pianist or any horn players to share the spotlight with, and that's just as well because the guitarist has a lot to say. He is in fine form on lyrical performances of "Misty," "Corcovado," and "Come Rain or Come Shine," and is equally impressive on unusually fast versions of "It Could Happen to You" and "The Lamp Is Low." Those who think of the former as a sentimental ballad will find that the hard bopper has a very different take on the standard. During his career, Pass was a very consistent player -- he rarely recorded a bad album, and Resonance is among the many releases that is well worth hearing. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Northsea Nights'
Release Date 3/9/1999
Tracks 6
Label Original Jazz Classics
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What The Critics Say
Guitarist Joe Pass and bassist Niels Pedersen, a pair of talented virtuosi, are typically outstanding on this live set of standards. With the exception of their ad-lib "Blues for the Hague," all of the material would qualify as overdone through the years (such as "'Round Midnight" and "Stella by Starlight") but the duo makes these veteran pieces sound fresh and new again. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Here is a second brace of solo Pass tracks from the sessions that have already yielded Songs for Ellen. The ambience is ruminative and extremely intimate; the menu consists entirely of much-explored standards at mostly unrelieved slow tempos. Several notes are not cleanly struck, but the musical imagination that previously yielded several solo recordings is still very much in gear, albeit a very subtle gear. A general bit of advice: it is better to listen to this album in small doses (a few tracks at a time), try to mentally filter out the very closely recorded mechanical noises the fingers make on the guitar, and not expect anything startling to leap out at you. Better yet, try some of Pass' earlier solo albums (such as the Virtuoso series, also on Pablo) before embarking upon this. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide
'Blues Dues (Live At Long Beach City College)'
Release Date 2/11/1998
Tracks 9
Label Original Jazz Classics
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What The Critics Say
This CD has yet another set of unaccompanied guitar solos by Joe Pass; however, fans of the great guitarist realize that he was among the most consistent of jazz performers, and virtually all of his Pablo recordings are quite worthwhile. For this live date, Pass explores seven standards and a couple of original blues, but manages to find fresh variations to play during such songs as "Wave," "All the Things You Are," and an exploratory rendition of "Honeysuckle Rose." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Joe Pass at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1975'
Release Date 5/26/1997
Tracks 11
Label Fantasy/OJC
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What The Critics Say
This CD reissue features guitarist Joe Pass playing 11 unaccompanied solos live at the 1975 Montreux Jazz Festival. Prior to Pass, one rarely ever heard a guitarist play anything by himself unless it was a lyrical ballad. In the years before Stanley Jordan emerged with his tapping keyboard approach, Pass demonstrated that the guitar could be its own orchestra while using conventional (although highly developed) technique. This excellent set is highlighted by "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," "More Than You Know" and three of the guitarist's basic originals. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Far from being a casual collection of rejects, there is plenty of mellow gold from Joe Pass on this posthumously released second volume from what must have been a memorable gig at this Oakland, California night spot. The two-guitar quartet format was an optimum showcase for Pass' nimble, melodic bop electric guitar, for the greatly unsung fellow guitarist John Pisano offers inspired harmonic, rhythm or obligato support at all times, giving Pass an extra push from underneath. On "I Remember You" and "What Is This Thing Called Love?," Pisano even gives Pass some solo chases which generate a lot of steam, and the gentle semi-bossa nova treatment of Neal Hefti's "Repetition" also bring out the best in both. Bassist Monty Budwig (subbing for Jim Hughart) and drummer Colin Bailey are also in superb form throughout this can't-miss outing. The sound quality is OK, though hum can be heard in some quiet stretches. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide
