GEORGE VAN EPS
My Guitar (Euphoria!)
Soliloquy (Euphoria!)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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By the time he recorded his first solo album in 1956, guitarist George Van Eps had logged three decades as a performer in some of the top dance bands in the country, including those of Benny Goodman, Freddy Martin and Ray Noble. In 1940, he introduced his invention, the seven string guitar, which added a bass string, increasing the harmonic range of the instrument and allowing him to develop a unique style that became highly sought after on the soundstages of Hollywood.

Ten years would pass before Capitol Records gave him the opportunity to record a second solo album, which turned out to be My Guitar. A mix of standards and then contemporary tunes (including five Lennon/McCartney compositions), he was accompanied by Frank Flynn on vibes, marimba and percussion. Like Van Eps, Flynn was an unknown master who was renowned in the studios and lounges of LA but invisible to the general public. Working without arrangements, the pair improvised a dozen outstanding performances, demonstrating both technical mastery and the genuine spirit of jazz.

Soliloquy, released in 1969, was Van Eps' third and final Capitol release. Here he's found completely solo, and the album stands as a textbook in solo improvisational guitar. There's simply no one who plays the instrument who can't learn from listening to George Van Eps, and there's no one who enjoys hearing the instrument who can't obtain joy from listening to George Van Eps. Euphoria!, a project of Sundazed Records, continues to find the very best, if not very best known, out of print jazz guitar albums for reissue, and these are two superlative examples.

Track Lists:

My Guitar: Spanish Eyes * And I Love Her * All My Loving * There Will Never Be Another You * Yesterday * Lollipops And Roses * Love Me Do * I'll Walk Alone * If I Fell * I'm Glad There Is You * It's Been A Long Long Time * Theme From "A Summer Place"

Soliloquy: Cute * This Guy's In Love With You * Lover * Nice Work If You Can Get It * Scott's Lullaby * By The Time I Get To Phoenix * Dancing In The Dark * Lover Man * All Alone * The Blue Room * Love Theme For Jo * Where Is Love?

© 2002 - Shaun Dale