JOE PASS
The Joe Pass Trio Live At Donte's (Pablo)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Say 'jazz guitar' to the man on the street, and the sound image that the words conjure will be something very like the guitar style of Joe Pass. Make that styles, because although Pass had a distinctive tone, he was a master of a variety of musical settings, as a solo performer, a leader or accompanist of singers.

This double CD was recorded in 1974 with Pass fronting a trio that included Him Hughart on Fender bass and Frank Severino on drums, but it wasn't released until 1981. By then Pass had recorded a series of popular albums as a solo guitarist, so in stepping back chronologically, he was stepping forward in the broader perception of his talents. Without the obligation to provide his own rhythmic base, Pass could devote more attention to melodic interpretation, both chorded and in single line solos of striking clarity and conception.

Today the repertoire is classic, although at the time it was recorded a number of the selections were boldly drawn from the pop charts of the day. Whether he was pulling from the books of Benny Goodman, Miles Davis or Stevie Wonder, though, Pass demonstrated that solid material from any source can produce great jazz in the hands of a great jazz musician. Joe Pass was certainly a great jazz musician, and this reissue is a welcome addition to his CD catalog.

Track Lists:

Disc One: Look What They Done To My Song, Ma * You Stepped Out Of A Dream * A Time For Love * Donte's Inferno * You Are The Sunshine Of My Life * Secret Love * Sweet Georgia Brown

Disc Two: Stompin' At The Savoy * Darn That Dream * Milestones * Lullaby Of The Leaves * What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life * Blues For Pamela

© 2002 - Shaun Dale