For You Lot Pat Martino - 1972 [1997] Footprints

Originally released yesteryear Cobblestone as well as after yesteryear Muse, this 1997 CD reissue from 32 Jazz features the distinctive as well as exploratory guitarist Pat Martino inwards a tribute to Wes Montgomery. Martino does non endeavour to audio similar Wes (although he uses octaves hither as well as there), as well as exclusively i of the half dozen selections ("Road Song") was truly recorded yesteryear Montgomery; the tribute is to a greater extent than heartfelt than imitative. With the intuitive assistance of beat guitarist Bobby Rose, bassist Richard Davis, as well as drummer Billy Higgins, Martino stretches out on half dozen selections, including a bluesy master copy ("The Visit"), "Footprints," as well as "Alone Together," ever sounding similar himself as well as pushing the boundaries of straight-ahead jazz.

Footprints was originally released equally The Visit on Cobblestone Records inwards 1972 as well as therefore reissued on Muse nether its electrical flow championship inwards 1975. This superb tape was Pat Martino's 6th equally a leader as well as his showtime away from the Prestige fold. This tremendous quartet session was recorded March 1972 when the guitarist was nonetheless exclusively 27 as well as featured the substantially driving input from bassist Richard Davis, instant guitarist Bobby Rose as well as drummer Billy Higgins. The disc was conceived equally a personal tribute to the retentiveness of his friend, Wes Montgomery, as well as field it sure has links to its inspiration, Footprints clearly outlines about of Martino's near beautiful traits—crisp, logical, narrative lines; zip hurried or studied but, rather, a near thoughtful contention of heartfelt intention.

The disc, latterly reissued on CD yesteryear 32 Jazz, begins amongst Martino's rousing "The Visit," a 6/8 blues slice that suggests a much to a greater extent than adventuresome Wes-like appeal. Richard Davis assumes the purpose of dueling co-leader rather than timekeeper hither as well as throughout. And it truly makes a divergence too.Montgomery's "Road Song" is explored to demonstrate the similarities—and differences—in the 2 guitarist's styles. Martino, a thespian of many ideas, traverses Wes's octaves as well as performs single-note patterns that would live out Montgomery dark-green amongst envy. The blues balladry of Wayne Shorter's enchanting "Footprints" gets i of its near haunting, ethereal performances ever inwards Martino's free-for-all exploration. Martino glides over his fretboard effortlessly field Davis as well as Higgins function a simpatico gypsy groove (Davis has a provocative solo hither too). Bobby Rose is heard, ever therefore rhythmically, challenging Martino to detect novel paths, making i wonder where the Gabor Szabo/Jimmy Stewart squad would cause got taken a jewel similar this. The programme is rounded out amongst the first-class performances of Michel Legrand's "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life," "Jobim's "How Insensitive" as well as the Dietz/Schwartz measure "Alone Together"—a collection of crowd-pleasing tunes that would jibe easily into many of Wes Montgomery's Verve dates.

During a 30-year recording career of many highs as well as a few lows, Footprints stands equally i of Pat Martino's real best. The musicianship is superior, dynamic as well as attending grabbing. Best of all, this ideal quartet's interplay is outstanding as well as often astounding. Very highly recommended.

Conceived equally a tribute to Wes Montgomery, this album was originally issued equally The Visit inwards 1975. At the time, jazz guitar was experiencing a revival of sorts that primarily focused on players who had showtime gotten their start inwards the ’50s. In that context, this work-attitude laden as well as rife amongst hip, technically pristine blowing-represented a breath of fresh air that helped lay the groundwork for the Martino mystique.

Supported yesteryear instant guitarist Bobby Rose, bassist Richard Davis, as well as drummer Billy Higgins, Martino utilizes a broad arrive at of grooves to conjure a multifariousness of moods. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 brilliant jazz waltz inwards the mold of Montgomery’s “West Coast Blues,” “The Visit” swings mightily, giving Pat a peril to shape long, fluid lines that oft dip into his deep creative well. The caput to Montgomery’s tardily grooving “Road Song” is rendered inwards octaves; during the blowing section, Pat freely contrasts extended phrases amongst bluesy licks. Slow as well as seductive, “Footprints” explores novel spaces that detect Martino playing rhythmically as well as at i request incorporating a serial of microtonal bends (the ending features about particularly cool bow function yesteryear Davis).

While the album’s length is brief yesteryear today’s standards as well as it would cause got been dainty if this reissue had retained the master copy fine art as well as championship (the master copy liner notes are included), it’s Martino’s musicality-here at the peak of its powers-that makes Footprints a jazz guitar classic.

Martino plays inwards a 2-guitar quartet – amongst Bobby Rose backing him upward on guitar, addition beat accompaniment yesteryear Richard Davis as well as Billy Higgins. The sound's definitely inwards the trippier, post-hippie fashion of Martino's work, amongst a variety of looseness as well as fluidity that yous either honey or hate, simply a nicely swinging beat underneath. Titles include "Footprints", "Road Song", "The Visit", as well as "Alone Together". (Out of print.) 

Track listing

1. "The Visit" (Pat Martino) - 4:34
2. "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand) - 7:18
3. "Road Song" (Wes Montgomery) - 5:43
4. "Footprints" (Wayne Shorter) - 8:22
5. "How Insensitive" (Norman Gimbel, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes) - 6:13
6. "Alone Together" (Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz) - 5:52

Personnel

• Pat Martino - guitar
• Bobby Rose - guitar
• Richard Davis - bass
• Billy Higgins - drums