Relaxin'

Joe Beck is cooler than you are on the guitar. He does 10 covers here and the nuances of his passages, the tone, timing and brilliance of his genius are just amazing. Very easy listening without being elevator music. Get this album if you love that fat, sweet jazz guitar sound.

The only thing wrong with this disc is that DMP didn't put it out on SACD.

~ Fifty five minutes of straight ahead jazz with a nice variety of tunes that allows the band plenty of opportunity to demonstrate their improvisational skills. The program includes seven jazz standards plus Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely". For each tune Joe Beck delivers innovative interpretations with clear articulate linear and chordal solos. No electronic modification of the guitar sound (which guitarists, including Beck himself, often used in the 1980's). Here the sound is clean in the tradition of Tal Farlow.~ Support from Jay Leonhart and the incomparable Grady Tate is superlative. Recorded sound is excellent.~ Recommended for fans of the guitar-bass-drums trio sound or for people who just like straight ahead jazz in it's purest form. If you are not familiar with Joe Beck and want to add some of his music to your jazz collection, this CD is a good place to start. If you are familiar with Beck's fusion and pop-jazz recordings, this CD will expose you to a different aspect of Joe Beck.

Beautiful, quiet jazz at various tempos. Wonderful chord changes and melodic improvisations. Nice accompaniment by bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Grady Tate. "Mellowtown" (Count Basie's "In a Mellow Tone") really swings. Very relaxing but it will keep you alert and listening.

to listen to.