One of the most distinctive and rhapsodic guitars belonged to Joe Pass (1929-94), and while he’s most noted for his solo recordings, his earliest group recordings are just as impressive in his own right. This four disc set puts together all of his albums that were recorded for the Pacific Jazz label, and they are all inspiring.
His 1962 debut came out right after his time at the Syananon Drug Center along with fellow patients, and Pass hits the ground running with his own tune “Hang Tough” and contributions from pianist Arnold Ross on “Last Callfor Coffee” and “Stay Loose”. With Bud Shank/as-fl, Xlare Fisher/p, Larry Bunker/drvib, Ralph Pena/b and Chuck Flores/perc, Pass goes Brazilian with flowing takes of “Brasamba” and a gorgeous “Autumn Leaves”. In 1963 Pass returns with Fischer, Pena, Bunker and Albert Stinson/dr for some glowing reads of mellow tunes like “Mood Indigo”, “But Beautiful” and the easy swinger “Just Friends”. Later that year, Pass forms a quartet with Mike Wolford/p, Jim Hughart/b and Colin Bailey/dr where he stretches out a bit on “Joy Spring” and a bopping “Relaxin’ At Camarillo”. With fellow guitarist John Pisano replacing Wolford, Pass gives a tribute to Django Reinhardt for modern renditions of the gypsy’s tunes like “Cavalerie” and “Fleur d’Ennue” as well as John Lewis’ moody “Django”. 1964 finds Pass with a West Coast team of Chet Baker/fh, Frank Capp/dr, Bob Blorence and some voices and orchestra for sophisticated reads of pop hits like “It Was A Very Good Year” and “A Summer Song”. The ringer of the collection has to be the 1965 album with a big band that covers songs by The Rolling Stones, including “As Tears Go By” and a head scratching “19th Nervous Breakdown”. Pass recovers the next year and smoothly swings with Hagood Hardy/vib, Julian Lee/-org, Bob Whitlock/b and Colin Bailey/dr for breezy reads of “The Gentle Rain” and “Luciana” on the samba side, and Pass’ own “Simplicity”. Six tasty strings