One of the most influential, yet currently overlooked guitarists has to be Johnny Smith (1922-2013). His cool sand calm tone can be detected in artists ranging from Pat Metheny to Jim Hall and Kenny Burrell. This four disc boxed set features his most important sessions, all recorded on the Roost Label from 1955-60.
His first session was a quartet date with George Roumanis/b, Mousey Alexander/dr and Bob Pancoast/p, producing a deep and moody “Django” and bopping “Un Poco Loco”. A gorgeous “It Never Entered My Mind” is on the followup album with vibist Johnny Rae replacing Pancoast. 1956 finds Smith with his most famous session, with Stan Getz bringing in his breathy tenor for the classic “Moonlight In Vermont” . This is the album that launched a thousand musical ships.
1957 has Smith With Roumanis, Alexander ad Pancoast reunited for a haunting “Laura” and “You Go To My Head” with Knobby Totah/b and Jerry Segal/dr sitting in for a swinging “Tickle Toe”. Cellist Charles McCracken replaces the piano for some chamber jazz on “Grant Avenue” and “Sunday” before Smith tries some trio work with just Roumanis and Alexander for tasty and intimate treats of “My Funny Valentine”, “Mood Indigo” and “I’ll Remember Clifford”. If you’re a guitar fan, you definitely need to understand how lyrical an ax can cut. Smith shows the way.