PART OF THE EXTRAORDINARY JAZZ ICONS series of DVD releases
(now numbering more than 30 titles), this disc presents the Art Farmer Quartet
performing live on BBC television in 1964. Backed by bassist Steve Swallow and
drummer Pete LaRoca, 34 year-old Jim Hall provides brilliant harmonic
environments for Farmer’s sometimes moody, sometimes fiery flugelhorn
excursions, as well as playing one spectacular solo after another. Not having a
piano contend with, Hall is able to really stretch out and devise chord
melodies that otherwise might not be feasible—and frequent close-up shots
provide unobstructed views of the action. Hall’s tone, courtesy of the
P90-equipped ES-175 he acquired from Howard Roberts and a Gibson GA50 amp, is
also unusual for the time, with more sustain and upper mids. Get this DVD for
the music and/or as a DIY master class in jazz guitar— but get it, get it?
Jazz
Icons.
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