Kenny Burrell – The Road to Love (2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Kenny Burrell – The Road to Love (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:12:28 minutes | 800 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © HighNote Records

Few can claim the title of living legend. Kenny Burrell is just such a person. In fact he’s more he’s living history, past, present and future. His credentials are voluminous and accomplishments staggering, and he hasn’t stopped. Today, he is active recording and performing, a respected educator, and an elder statesman of the music. His legacy is pervasive. His soulful sound and approach have influenced virtually everyone claiming a jazz pedigree but extends to many outside the genre, a la Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Steve Howe, Andy Summers, and Freddie King. Here Burrell is backed by some of his favorite West Cost colleagues in a varied program of standards and few originals by the leader himself, including one brand new composition. Also on hand is the exuberant voice of Barbara Morrison who brings her tremendous talent and personality to three tracks.

Still vitally active well into his mid 80s, jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell is as dependable as one’s prized Rolex watch. As the watch can keep time impeccably, so can Kenny, but he can also inspire, and bring on a deep sense of effortless swing.

Witness his latest CD on High Note Records, recorded live at Catalina’s over this past Memorial Day weekend. With a blend of Burrell’s tunes combined with mostly well-known classics, Kenny keeps the Hollywood audience satisfied. Adding saxophonist/flutist, Justo Almario, to a crack LA-based rhythm section expands the sound palette to add some punch to Kenny’s bluesy guitar lines. It is rare to get the opportunity to hear Mr. Burrell provide commentary on a third of the eighteen tracks. It peaks a listener’s interest and provides a feeling of attending the live session.

Pianist Tom Ranier is more than an able accompanist, as he is there every step of the way with piano fills and soloing when the time is right. Reed man Almaro sets no new ground, but also fits right in and can dig in when called upon such as on the opening, “Salty Papa.” On “Serenata” Almaro’s flute section provides a nice addition to Burrell’s Latin lines and Cameron’s percussion. I seldom tire of hearing Neal Hefti’s “Li’l Darlin’” and Kenny does not disappoint. The familiar strumming of the known melody is so sweet.

Clayton Cameron’s brush work is put to strong use on Kenny’s tune,”Brush Magic,” (likely written for Clayton, who has been with Burrell for over ten years). It’s followed by a sublime “Listen to the Dawn,” on which Almaro’s flute is ethereal. It’s a relatively rare opportunity to experience Burrell playing acoustic guitar, and on “Someone to Light Up My Life” and Ellington’s “Single Petal of a Rose,” Kenny puts on a clinic appropriate for a concert hall. Fortunately with warm acoustics we have a front row seat, and on headphones it would be a guitar lover’s dream.

Kenny offers a tribute to his friend, B. B. King, (who passed away just a few weeks before this live session), on “Confessin’ the Blues.” This swinging session concludes with the soulful Barbara Morrison interpreting Ellington and Billie Holiday.

Jazz guitar heaven is keeping a warm seat ready for Kenny Burrell. If we’re lucky it’ll be quite awhile before that time happens. —Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition

Tracklist:
01. Kenny Burrell – Salty Papa (07:25)
02. Kenny Burrell – Serenata (06:22)
03. Kenny Burrell – Li’l Darlin’ (06:35)
04. Kenny Burrell – Spoken Introduction to Brush Magic (00:17)
05. Kenny Burrell – Brush Magic (07:26)
06. Kenny Burrell – Listen to the Dawn (06:30)
07. Kenny Burrell – Teach Me Tonight (04:41)
08. Kenny Burrell – Spoken Introduction to Someone to Light Up My Life (00:16)
09. Kenny Burrell – Someone to Light Up My Life (05:27)
10. Kenny Burrell – Spoken Introduction to Single Petal of a Rose (00:18)
11. Kenny Burrell – Single Petal of a Rose (04:10)
12. Kenny Burrell – Spoken Introduction to Confessin’ the Blues (00:58)
13. Kenny Burrell – Confessin’ the Blues (05:42)
14. Kenny Burrell – Spoken Introduction to The Road to Love (00:40)
15. Kenny Burrell – The Road to Love (05:16)
16. Kenny Burrell – Spoken Introduction to Crazy He Calls Me (00:09)
17. Kenny Burrell – Crazy He Calls Me (04:58)
18. Kenny Burrell – Things Ain’t What They Used to Be (05:08)

Personnel:
Kenny Burrell, electric & acoustic guitar
Barbara Morrison, vocals #15,17,18
Justo Almario, tenor saxophone, flute
Tom Ranier, piano
Tony Dumas, bass
Clayton Cameron, drums
Marvin “Smitty” Smith, drums #15

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