Joy Spring

Artist: Joe Pass

Number of Discs: 1

Total time: 41:42
Label: Blue Note
Availability: In stock
Item #: 5162069

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Review

Joe Pass was near the beginning of his career (after a decade of fighting drug addiction) when he recorded the live quartet session included on this CD reissue. The great guitarist was in his early prime, nine years before he started recording for Pablo. Pass is immediately recognizable on the straightahead bebop date and is supported by a fine rhythm section that includes pianist Mike Wofford, bassist Jim Hughart and drummer Colin Bailey. The group stretches out on five standards (the renditions are 6 1/2-10 1/2 minutes apiece) but never runs out of inventive ideas. Easily recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Read About This Recording

Joe Pass became famous in the 1970s for his virtuosic unaccompanied guitar concerts, showing that the guitar truly is an orchestra by itself. However, in the previous decade, he had already recorded several real gems, including 1964's Joy Spring.

Teamed with pianist Mike Wofford, bassist Jim Hughart and drummer Colin Bailey (Hughart and Bailey would join Pass and fellow guitarist John Pisano a few months later for the classic For Django album), Pass sounds comfortable stretching out on five jazz standards. As talented as the sidemen are, the main star throughout is the guitarist, who really digs into Clifford Brown's Joy Spring, Some Time Ago, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, There Is No Greater Love and Charlie Parker's Relaxin' At Camarillo.

Recorded live, the music is essentially bebop as Joe Pass extends the Charlie Christian tradition, infusing it with his own sound and approach. There is not a wasted moment on the set and this release shows that, even back in 1964, Pass was already a giant.

-Scott Yanow

Joy Spring; Some Time Ago; The Night Has A Thousand Eyes; Relaxin' At Camarillo; There Is No Greater Love.

Joe Pass, Guitar; Mike Wofford, Piano; Jim Hughart, Bass; Colin Bailey, Drums.