Chances are that most jazz fans may not have heard of jazz guitarist Ted Greene, though it is not for his lack of abilities. One of a handful of players able to command attention during an album's worth of unaccompanied performances, Greene evidently has not pursued many recording opportunities following this 1977 debut, which was first issued by the PMP label. Like Joe Pass, Bucky Pizzarelli, Martin Taylor, and a few other guitar masters, Greene is adept enough to accompany himself by playing a melodic line and supporting rhythm, such that novices will think they are listening to two guitarists. Most of this session is devoted to standards like "Ol' Man River," "Just Friends," and a medley of "Summertime" and "It Ain't Necessarily So," all played with finesse and imagination. He avoids the hackneyed approach to songs of more recent vintage, such as "Send in the Clowns" and "Watch What Happens," by utilizing creative voicings. This session was finally reissued in 2004 by Art of Life, and it is a mystery as to why Ted Greene hasn't been heard from since the recording was originally made. He is long overdue to make a follow-up. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden
Originally released in 1977 on PMP Records and now available on CD for the first time ever! Digitally remastered for compact disc from the original analog master tapes by John Strother at Penguin Recording in Los Angeles, California and supervised by Ted Greene himself. Includes the original album cover artwork and liner notes from both pressings of the original LP release. Ted is also the author of several excellent books on the subject of guitar chords, "Chord Chemistry", and chord progressions, "Modern Chord Progressions", as well as Jazz guitar soloing, "Jazz Guitar Single Note Soloing, Volume 1 & 2". This is the only recording Ted Greene has ever released as a leader; a true solo guitar masterpiece in every sense of the word. Many people all over the world have been anxiously awaiting the CD reissue of Ted's "Solo Guitar" album. Art of Life Records is proud to make this long out-of-print recording available to the world once again.
Liner Notes
This album was recorded in two separate recording sessions. The only performer is Ted Greene, and no "over dubbing" (multiple track recording) was done. (Although we did take advantage of modern recording techniques to reduce unwanted guitar and amplifier noise, we did not record this album with any of the popular "noise reduction systems" currently in use. We did not wish to risk "coloring" Ted's guitar sound.
) Each song is recorded as Ted might perform it "live".
The rotary phasing effect is the result of simultaneously recording the guitar through "the board", and through a small Leslie rotating speaker.
We are very pleased to have collaborated with Ted on the creation of this album, and to make it available to all of his friends and admirers (who have waited so long), and we are looking forward to future efforts with Ted.
Liner notes as they appeared on the original LP.
Recording information: The Sound House, Hollywood, CA (1977).
Medley: Summertime/It Ain't Necessarily So: Summertime / It Ain't Necessarily So
3
Danny Boy (Londonderry Air)
4
Send In The Clowns
5
Ol' Man River
6
They Can't Take That Away From Me
7
Just Friends
8
Certain Smile
Solo Guitar Music Review
Customer Solo Guitar Reviews
Average Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)
Amazing Musician. This is the man, probably one of the best guitarplayer I have ever heard.
He makes it sound so easy. Just think of it, he plays an ordinary Telecaster
with a lower E-sting and a Lesli-cabinet
NO overdubs. What a great man he was, I truely miss him. Submitted by lelarsson (Gothenburg, Sweden) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Amazing Guitarist! This man surely could play guitar!
I´ts almost unbelivable that there´s only one known record. Wonderful that he made it on a Telecaster and with a Leslie-cabinet, no overdubs!!
Listen and enjoy. It´s a pity that he past away last year only 58 years young.
Great man! Submitted by lelarsson (Gothenburg, Sweden) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
forgotten Gem A brilliant recording by an underrated guitarist. Ted Greene is relevent even today. As guitarists strive for more Greene shows what can be done with a Telecaster, an amp and a huge talent. It is unfortunate that this genius left us so early. This is the kind of guitar we all wish we could play Submitted by Jazzplayer52 (Millersville, MD) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
great!! Amazing solo guitar with no overdubs.
I have no idea how he plays like that. Melody,rhythm,bass at the same time.
Jazz guitar virtuoso,like Joe Pass,has recorded similar solo guitar works.but I think this recording has more classical feeling.
Steve Vai said this is one of his favorites.
Submitted by miura (Futoshi,JAPAN) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Ted Greene has the deepest ears that music can flow through. Ted Greene has the deepest ears that music can flow through. He is totally in touch with the potential of harmonic constructions. On this record he defies the technical physics of Jazz melody chord voicings but creates an organic and inspired listening delight. A must for anyone who puts their fingers on an instrument with strings.
Steve Vai - Guitarist
Submitted by Steve Vai - Guitarist (California) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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