Various Artists
Progressions: 100 Years of Jazz Guitar
Sony Legacy

Columbia is to be congratulated for accepting the daunting task of assembling this anthology of the first 100 years of jazz guitar. Produced in part by guitarist John Scofield, this 4-cd box set is over 5 wonderfully overwhelming hours of six (mostly) stringed heaven, ranging from archival 1906 cylinder discs to 2001 digital recordings. Culled from over 35 record labels, this set will satisfy any and every fan or curious onlooker on what jazz guitar is all about.

Your first thought upon hearing words like "comprehensive" and "historical" in a project like this was probably like mine, "Yeah, well is so-and-so" in it?" Lemme tell ya, the depth, width and breadth of this monumental project is quite impressive. Except for a few names that came to mind on the 3rd listening (No Al Viola, Howard Alden, Joe Pisano or Charlie Hunter), anyone and everyone that ever intrigued your ears (and more) is listed. Sure, some inclusions may be questionable (Does Hendrix's "Manic Depression" really fit in?), but that is the whole point of this essential set: it gets you listening, thinking, and growing.

While not strictly in chronological order, the set is very educational in showing the progression of jazz playing and recording. To go over each era here is ridiculous, there is a comprehensive drool producing booklet to do that. What is most obvious after having my ears massaged by the greatest guitarists around is that each of these musicians have something different and worthwhile to say, and they let the guitar say it in one of three ways: fun, romantic, or power.

The first era emphasizes the "fun" side of jazz. Great influential solos by the likes of Lonnie Johnson, Django Reinhardt and Eddie Lang reflect the joy of "jazzing up" a piece of music that was (literally) constrained by the times. Charlie Byrd and Joao Gilberto demonstrate the "romantic" side of the guitar on their lovely Brazilian songs. "Power" is amply demonstrated by the likes of James Blood Ulmer and John McLaughlin. The real high points of this disc is when an artist is able to combine 2 or all three of these factors. Ah! Guitar heaven in the form of Kenny Burrell' "Midnight Blue", Gabor Szabo's "Gypsy Queen" or Wes Montgomery's "Blue 7". There is something here for everybody, and like all great anthologies, there are a few "unknowns" that are worth searching deeper into. Where have Toninho Horta and Teddy Bunn been all of my life?

The accompanying booklet is a treasure trove itself: Great biographies of each musician, session by session listing, eight solo transcriptions, and, best of all, an interview of 25 guitarists picking their favorite guitarists, (and songs!). It's a steal at twice the price. My mouth is already watering for the sax, piano, and trumpet sets.


-George W. Harris