Search - Bruce Forman :: Pardon Me

A Must for Jazz Guitar [enthusiast ]

06/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent cd, a bit more modern than some of the other Forman recordings I've heard to date. Deeply rooted in the bebop idiom, Forman reveals other sides of his playing here, including a profound debt to Coltrane and an awareness of `outside' playing in his improvisation. Both the opener, Countdown (a Coltrane classic), and the title tune - a Forman original - exhibit the agility of the guitarist and testify to the close interplay between Forman and his drummer. At the other end of the range we find Forman's straightforward tribute to Wes Mongomery in Blues for Wes, and Skylight, a gospel-like jazz waltz where pianist Billy Childs' Bill Evans-influenced playing provides a nice counterpoint to Forman's statement. The standards Autumn Leaves and I Hear a Rhapsody are both first-takes, and receive a fresh and loose treatment by the group. Especially the latter is interesting, prefiguring the sort of bebop-with-an-edge explorations found on the younger guitar-wizard Kurt Rosenwinkel's later album, Intuit (CrissCross)."

A serious look at Jazz Guitar

Jorge Barbarosa | the back 9 | 01/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Keeping that jazz guitar flame alive" was used to describe Bruce Formans quality of musicianship and is apropo! Bruce Forman is a GIANT of that Genre, too bad he hasn't achieved more commercial success, he deserves it. I have listened to Mr. Forman for many years, as far back as his "In Transit" days and have always admired his work. Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Herb Ellis, Tal, Bernie Kessel and many, many more are in good company with Bruce Forman This release is one you'll surely enjoy, if straight ahead Jazz Guitar a genre you enjoy. Great arrangments abound on all of Bruce's work and this one is no exception. Thanks Bruce, listening always remains a pleasure, time and time again."