Best known for his work with Stan Kenton’s orchestra, guitarist Sal Salvador is one of the overlooked guitarists these days. He had a style and delivery similar to Herb Ellis; clean, clear and inherently swinging. This 2 disc set has him in an impressive environment,with the first two sessions in a brass-heavy big band that recalls his earlier employer
Filled with trumpets, trombones and French Horn, the band shows its testosterone between swinging solos on pieces like “Walkin’ Time” and “To Beat or Not to Beat.” Salvador shows his ability to milk a note on the suave “ Easy Living” and “Satin Doll” and he can make melodies on his own during his solos on “Periwinkle Blues” and “ You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me.” A sax team that includes Charlie Mariano/ts, Joe Farrell/ts, Andy Marsala/as and Nick Brignola/bs as well as Dave Frishberg on piano are featured on the second disc, which has more of a Basie feel to it. The Sal and the band sizzles on “The Song Is You” and is revved up on “All THe Things You Are.” Vocalist Sheryl Easly brings her Christy-inspired voice to material such as “On the Street Where You Live” while the rhythm section has a gas of a time on Benny Golson’s “Blue March.” This guy knows how to have fun on the frets!
Fresh Sound Records