Kenny Burrell Albums (62)
'75th Birthday Bash Live!'
Release Date 1/1/2007
Tracks 12
Label Blue Note
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
This CD by guitarist Kenny Burrell begins with a solid swinger, Will Davis' �Mark 1." Unfortunately most of the remainder of the set is ballad-oriented and features Burrell's vocals on nearly half of the selections. While Burrell's voice is not bad, it cannot carry an entire project by itself. His guitar playing is fine but there are no moments where one feels that he is really stretching himself. There are appearances from veteran pianist Gerald Wiggins and tenor-saxophonist Herman Riley that add a little bit of spark to the set but not enough to make this so-so effort all that memorable. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Listen to the Dawn'
Release Date 10/17/2001
Tracks 8
Label Pony Canyon
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Sharp trio set. Burrell is backed by excellent bass/drums duo of Rufus Reid and Ben Riley, both of whom are Burrell's playing equals. The results are uniformly solid, sometimes more emphatic than others. Burrell is still playing in a relaxed, easy groove, but occasionally increases the energy level. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
'Lucky So and So'
Release Date 5/22/2001
Tracks 10
Label Concord Jazz
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Kenny Burrell has long been a superb guitarist, and has continued to play his bluesy brand of hard bop through multiple changes in jazz styles. Lucky So and So finds him in a comfortable quartet setting, with keyboardist Onaje Allan Gumbs, bassist Rufus Reid, and drummer Akira Tana bopping their way through a lively traditional set. This disc also features something unfamiliar to even the Burrell fan: the guitarist sings four of the ten selections. The music begins with a relaxed groove on Ellington's "The Feeling of Jazz," then slides smoothly into a nice version of Walter Gross' "Tenderly." For the most part, the pacing and mood remain mellow throughout Lucky So and So, giving the album a late-night feel. There's a blues drenched "Bass Face," a Burrell original, and a lovely version of "In a Sentimental Mood." Burrell's guitar work is fluid as always, and special mention should also be made of Gumbs' piano work. He has a style that reminds one of the great pianists from the '50s, like Wynton Kelly or Red Garland. Call it a flourish of tastefully placed notes that impresses because of the feeling injected into it. The biggest surprise of this album, though, is Burrell's vocals on classics like "My Ship" and the title track. He has a warm delivery that may remind some of Mel Tormé, brought forth in quiet confidence. Lucky So and So will sit comfortably beside other Burrell albums, and will please anyone who loves good guitar jazz. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Steady, consistently swinging trio date with Burrell's fine guitar playing as the focus, and bassist Reggie Johnson and drummer Sherman Ferguson effective but subdued in a supporting mode. There's nothing exceptional here, but the breezy pace and bluesy feel are nice. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This is a typically tasteful Kenny Burrell record (reissued on CD) with the guitarist mostly emphasizing ballads. Five of the seven songs (which include "Make Someone Happy," "Since I Fell for You" and the theme from "A Streetcar Named Desire") find Burrell assisted by pianist Richard Wyands (who also played electric piano), bassist Reggie Johnson and drummer Lenny McBrowne. "'Round Midnight" is played by Burrell with pianist Joe Sample, bassist Johnson and drummer Paul Humphrey while "Blues in the Night" is an unaccompanied guitar solo. Although the music overall is well-played, no real sparks fly and the results often border on being sleepy. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Love Is the Answer'
Release Date 4/28/1998
Tracks 21
Label Concord Jazz
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
An unorthodox fusion of jazz and church music, Love Is the Answer is the last thing jazz fans expected from Kenny Burrell in the late 1990s. This ambitious project unites the guitarist and fellow jazzmen James Williams (piano, keyboards), Ray Drummond (acoustic bass) and Ben Riley (drums) with the Boys Choir Of Harlem, whose calming, reflective vocals draw on both African-American gospel and European church music. Burrell isn't known for writing lyrics, but in fact, he wrote all of the spiritual, inspirational lyrics that the Choir sings. This is far from a typical hard bop album, and yet, Burrell's guitar solos (both acoustic and electric) are definitely jazz solos. Not surprisingly, Love Is the Answer was too ambitious for some labels, which wondered how they would market such a release and opted to pass. But thankfully, Concord was willing to take a chance on this moving, thoughtful music. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Then Along Came Kenny'
Release Date 8/13/1996
Tracks 10
Label Evidence
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
This disc documents two nights that guitarist Kenny Burrell spent at New York's famous Village Vanguard club, in front of a fine trio consisting of pianist James Williams, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Sherman Ferguson. The tunes are mostly standards -- Monk's "I Mean You," Dizzy's "Manteca," Parker's "Yardbird Suite," etc. Everyone plays with wit, assurance and verve, Burrell especially; his tone is warm and rich, and he chooses notes with wisdom and logic. The problem is that his note choices are so logical that you start to wish he'd take a few more chances. His solo on "Yardbird Suite" is so smooth and assured that the whole band gets infected with mild-manneredness and starts sounding like a cruise ship combo; the glib "Salt Peanuts" quote during Williams' piano solo actually sounds sacrilegious in this context. Then there's the production problem -- this album sounds like it was recorded from the room rather than from the mixing board, and as a result, Burrell's guitar is indistinct and slightly buried. Not bad, but Burrell's done better. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
'Live at the Blue Note'
Release Date 7/17/1996
Tracks 9
Label Concord Jazz
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Always one of the most tasteful of musicians, guitarist Kenny Burrell is in fine form on this set from 1996. He is joined by a rhythm section led by pianist Sir Roland Hanna, trumpeter Jimmy Owens (who is in excellent form), either Steve Turre or Benny Powell on trombone and the underrated tenor-saxophonist and flutist Jerome Richardson. Burrell sings a heartfelt "Dear Ella" (his voice is just average) and there is a vocal apiece by Jeannie Bryson (a sensuous "I've Got A Crush On You") and Vanessa Rubin ("All Blues"). Other highlights of this relaxed bop set include Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer," Richardson's "Groove Merchant" and a medley of "Embraceable You" and Charlie Parker's "Quasimodo." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
