CHARLIE BYRD
Byrd By The Sea (Fantasy) / For Louis (Concord)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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If you don't yet understand what the world of music--jazz in particular--lost with the death of guitarist Charlie Byrd last December, these two releases will more than amply inform you. The first, Byrd By The Sea, is a reissue of sorts, with the eight tracks from the 1974 album by that name leading off the set recorded at Howard Rumsey's fabled Concerts By The Sea in Redondo Beach, CA. Those eight cuts are supplemented by an additional seven from the same engagement, though, which makes this a whole new album, in a sense. The restored tracks were originally left out solely because of space concerns, not because they are in any way inferior "alternate takes." Their inclusion here allows the illustration of even more dimensions of the multi- faceted talents of Byrd, who was as comfortable with the music of Vivaldi as Jobin, with Lennon-McCartney as Ellington, and who informed all of those sources with his personal touch on the nylon string guitar which he championed for so many decades. Byrd By The Sea is a tour-de- force demonstration of the master's many talents at the height of his powers.

For Louis is, of course, a tribute to Louis Armstrong. It's also the last studio album Charlie Byrd recorded. It's interesting that so late in his career, he turned for inspiration to one of the pioneers of jazz and found that there was still something new to say through the medium of such familiar material. Eleven of the twelve cuts are well-known gems from the Armstrong book, with the twelfth being a Byrd original, "Remembering Louis Armstrong." Throughout the album, Byrd demonstrates an affinity for--and ability with--swing that was always present in his music but often overlooked as he made his own pioneering moves in bossa nova and classical/jazz fusion. To the end, though, whatever he played, Charlie Byrd was a premier jazzman; and if the heart of rock'n'roll is the beat, the heart of jazz is swing. Charlie Byrd went down too early (74 is only old in the jazz world), but he went down swinging. And that's the best epitaph in jazz.

Track Lists:

Byrd By The Sea: Wave * I'm Coming Virginia * Killing Me Softly With His Song * Fantasy In B Minor * Salty Dog * Chiquilin De Bachin * Norwegian Wood * Ela * Cherry * The Way We Were * Concerto In G * Love Is In The Air * Meditation (Meditacao) * This Can't Be Love * It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

For Louis: Petite Fleur * Remembering Louis Armstrong * A Kiss To Build A Dream On * Autumn In New York * Hello Dolly * Tin Roof Blues * Soft Lights And Sweet Music * A Child Is Born * Struttin' With Some Barbeque * Indian Summer * Rosetta * What A Wonderful World

© 2000 - Shaun Dale