Body and Soul

Bertoncini, who is still with us as of this writing, dropped a couple of classic solo guitar albums on us around the turn of the 21st century. First was this one, "Body and Soul", and then five years later came "Quiet Now". For me, they are an extension of the school of playing that goes back to Eddie Lang and Carl Kress, but is more obviously connected to Johnny Smith's "The Man with the Blue Guitar", the solo guitar recordings of George Van Eps, and Ted Greene's "Solo Guitar" album from 1977. All of these players put more emphasis on arrangement than on improvisation.None of them were using the regular, driving rhythms of Merle Travis and Chet Atkins for the majority of their repertoire (though Ted Greene could certainly play in this style). The Atkins tradition has been carried on by players like Earl Klugh, Guy Van Duser, and Kenny Poole (among many others).Bertoncini sets himself apart from players like Johnny Smith and Van Eps through his use of nylon-string guitars and a more impressionistic sense of harmony (something he shares with Ted Greene).If you are looking for a solo guitar album that is about improvisational exploration and bringing the innovations of bebop or modal jazz to the solo guitar, players like Joe Pass or Lenny Breau might be more exciting to you. Players like Bertoncini and Greene have a deep appreciation for bop and post-bop innovations, but neither choose to spend large portions of their careers working in this territory.In additional to a focus on arrangement, both Greene and Bertoncini seemed to be drawn to songs often though of as singers' showcases--songs like How Are Things in Glocca Morra, Send in the Clowns, and even the opera aria Nessun Dorma. Not exclusively...Bertoncini also tackles songs like Body and Soul, Giant Steps, and Round Midnight that are thought of as playgrounds for master improvisers. But Bertoncini is almost never approaching these songs as vehicles to showcase his chops and soloing prowess.It's too bad there aren't another four or five albums of Bertoncini solo guitar playing, as he really had something different to offer. His Jobim recital album is mostly solo (there is hand percussion, but no other instruments), and fans of his solo work will likely enjoy his better-documented duo with bassist Michael Moore. For me, "Body and Soul" and "Quiet Now" are the apex of his discography, and I think guitarists will be listening to them decades from now.

A very enjoyable album. I will second what others have said about the music, but add that the sonics of this recording are tremendous. In reviews I've read that it was originally recorded as an SACD, but nowhere on the actual CD or packaging does it say this, nor does my SACD player register it as such, however it really does not matter, the audio quality is outstanding. If all music was recorded this well, people would still buy audio equipment.

As has been written before Bertoncini has a great deal of technique and he plays some interesting chords, he is quite accomplished on his instrument and the music is beautiful. If you like him, you may want to check out the jazz guitar music of the late Bill Harris. His cds are hard to find and he may not be quite as technically proficient as Gene Bertoncini, but he is quite good and his approach to playing jazz is quite different from Bertoncini and Charlie Byrd. He comes from a different perspective which is no less interesting. Get this album, then check out Harris.

Excellent music, and a very good recording.

As usual, Gene Bertoncini delivers stellar performances. He plays with remarkable sensitivity, and his arrangements reveal an unparalleled grasp of jazz harmony. With Gene, every chord is an adventure, a profound musical statement to be savored.

The sonic quality of this album is phenomenal, and that's only the beginning.Gene Bertoncini is on of the greatest living jazz guitarists. His technical prowess combined with his arranging talent give us an album that is easy to listen to because of its seamlesness, but like an artichoke, continues to show deeper and deeper layers as you dig down. Highly intellectual and beautiful to listen to...not a combination that we are lucky enough to find very often.

If you picture yourself at a romantic restaurant, candles flickering, with the one you love, this would just have to be playing in the background to complete the mood. This is a wonderfully arranged and superbly recorded album. Gene winds his way through the classics on this one. Romantics will love this for those intimate moments. Great recording, looking forward to more from Ambient Records.