Yes, rock and roll changed the sound of the guitar for many a six stringer, but here are some that simply ignored the a-changing times, sticking to the timeless rather than the transient…
Known as the longtime sideman of Freddie Cole, guitarist Randy Napoleon stretches out a bit on this album with Aubrey Johnson/voc, Rick Roe/p, Rodney Whitaker-Brandon Rose/dr, Quincy Davis-Will Cranderl/dr and Seth Ebersole/wwinds, as he interprets the material of composer Gregg Hill. Johnson mixes wordless tones and lyrics, swinging through “Andy’s Lament” and warmth to the sublime “Moonscape”. Her lyrics are clear and coy, teamed with the leader on “The Unknown Ballad” and a tasty treat for “Truck Driver’s Blues”. Napoleon himself is the second coming of Oscar Moore, lithely swinging on “Wide River” and hip as all get out on “Lyrica”. Sublime seasonings.
Guitarist George Cotsirlos is a mainstreamer in the line of Russell Malone, creating a melodic outfit with Keith Saunders/p, Robb Fisher/b and Ron Marabuto/dr through a decalogue of originals. Cotsirlo’s fingers are gracefularound the nimble “Devolution” and bluesy on the hep “Smoke Signal”, lyrical as all get out on the relaxed “The Three Doves” with a rich mix of sound and space. Fisher simmers on “Igualmente” and Marabuto lays down a military cadence to the easy lines of “Planet Roxoid” ,with Saunders leading the pack on the galloping “A Faint Light”. It’s sessions like this that remind you why you like jazz guitar.