With Frank Vignola
Studio: Mel Bay Publications MB21225DVD
Video: 4:3 full screen
Audio: PCM stereo
Length: 60 minutes
Rating: *** 1/2
Well, not really solos – it’s a straightforward and unassuming duo
presentation that will afford great pleasure to both general jazz
audiences and guitarists at any level of ability. Bucky is already
familiar to audiophiles from his many previous recordings and
especially his Chesky surround sound DVD-A which achieved high levels
both musically and audio-wise. He’s also played on some of the hit
discs by his singer/guitarist son John. Frank Vignola is already
a major young jazz guitar star and a perfect foil for Bucky’s wonderful
improvisations on 14 of his favorite tunes. He asserts the elder
Pizzarelli was one of his earliest influences.
The setting appears to be just a couple guys jamming in somebody’s
basement rec room, but actually they’re in the famous Nola Recording
Studio in New York City, which carries at least as much historical
might as does Pizzarelli himself. Perhaps that’s why the stereo sound
is so clean and present. Together with the super closeups of
Pizzarelli’s picking, students of jazz guitar will have a ball viewing
some of these selections over and over again. The two guitarists have a
relaxed and creative musical interplay going on between them throughout
the session. Pizzarelli briefly introduces some of the tunes just as he
might in a club appearance. A delightful hour of picking!
Tunes: In a Mellow Tone, Limehouse Blues, Smoke Rings, Tangerine, Stars
in Your Eyes/Nuages, Pacifica, If I Had You, Please, Stompin’ at the
Savoy, This Nearly Was Mine, It’s Been a Long, Long Time/Don’t Take
Your Love From Me, Honeysuckle Rose, Three Little Words, Moonlight
Serenade
– John Henry
