KENNY BURRELL
12.15.78 (32 Jazz)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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12.15.78 was the date of one of guitarist Kenny Burrell's legendary Village Vanguard dates, and it's the title of this new 32 Jazz release which combines the two Muse titles that resulted from that evening.

Originally split into two albums, Live At The Village Vanguard and Kenny Burrell In New York, 32 honcho Joel Dorn has made the complete show available in a single package for the first time. And what a show! The fourteen musical selections show the full range of Burrell's incredible talent, from the hot bop of Dizzy Gillespie's "Woodyn' You?" to the cool blues of Milt Jackson's "Bag's Groove" to the obligatory Burrell tribute to Duke Ellington, a medley of "Don't You Know I Care" and "Love You Madly." (Burrell was Ellington's favorite guitarist, and Burrell has devoted considerable attention to preserving and advancing the Ellington legacy, making this a particularly appropriate release during the Duke's centennial year.)

Burrell fronts a trio that includes bassist Larry Gales and drummer Sherman Ferguson, and they provide a solid foundation for the set. Typically, Burrell gives his sidemen plenty of room to shine, as well. An interesting historical footnote is included by way of Burrell's introduction of the Vanguard's Max Gordon, a seminal figure in jazz history, who responds briefly in what may be the only appearance on record by a man who watched countless great live recordings take shape on the stage he provided.

Kenny Burrell has been a major figure in the development of jazz guitar for nearly half a century and this two CD set is an ample demonstration of the talent that has made that so. It belongs on any jazz fan's shelves, and 32 deserves major points for bringing this performance back into circulation in complete form.

Track Lists:

Disc One:

Second Balcony Jump * Willow Weep For Me * Work Song * Woodyn' You? * Introduction of Max Gordon * In The Still Of The Night * Don't You Know I Care?/Love You Madly * It's Getting Dark

Disc Two:

Pent Up House * But Beautiful * Bags' Groove * Makin' Whoopee * Come Rain Or Come Shine * Love Your Magic Spell Is Everywhere

© 1999 - Shaun Dale