Kenny Burrell
Tenderly: Solo Guitar Concert
High Note Records
www.jazzdepot.com

Joey DeFrancesco
40
High Note Records
www.jazzdepot.com
By George W. Harris

It’s so frighteningly easy to take these two LA Cats for granted. They’re always at some club, so you just figure, “I’ll catch them next time,” when they’d have bronze statues made for them if they lived in NYC. Why don’t we cherish our home grown treasures? These two recent releases give ample warning that we need to appreciate their availability, and take advantage of it.

Every time Kenny Burrell performs in concert, it seems that the highlight is when he does a few solo tunes. Here, at The Theatre@Boston Court in Pasadena, California, he gives an entire recital and workshop on electric and acoustic guitars. A pizzicato treatment of “Recoado Bossa Nova” is a delight, while the Billie Holiday Tribute (did you know he recorded with her?) delivers achingly exquisite readings of “Don’t Explain” and “But Beautiful.” He’s got the blues in his soul on his own “Soulful Brothers,” and even delivers some cheery vocals on “Be Yourself.” I don’t know what else you’d want at a concert, but if it ain’t here, you don’t really need it. Another home run from the UCLA professor!

Hammond B3 King Joey DeFrancesco celebrates his 2 score years on earth with a rock steady trio of Ramon Banda/dr-perc and Rick Zunigar/g. He gets down to the core on a toe tapping “I’ve Got A Woman” that shakes the foundation, yet also shows his tender side (and surprisingly strong vocals) on the delicate “Gloria.” The band gels like a V8 on “Donny’s Tune,” while the closing “Caruso” is a visceral romantic solo piece that captures loves emotions like few other sounds. Simply amazingly sensitive material from a gentle giant.