Born an Okie from Muskogee on October 17th 1923 Barney Kessel was a self taught guitarist whose main influence was the legendary and tragic jazz guitarist Charlie Christian. After playing in local bands Barney relocated to Los Angeles where he freelanced for such great band leaders as Charlie Barnet, Artie Shaw, Les Brown and Benny Goodman, not a bad apprenticeship! AVID Entertainment presents a fully re-mastered Double CD on our AVID JAZZ imprint featuring our hero as leader of his own groups in the 1950’s. We include his first four LP’s in their entirety (minus one short track) “ Easy Like”, “Plays Standards”, “ To Swing Or Not To Swing” and “ Music To Listen To Barney Kessel By”. Supported by such fine award winning musicians as Shelly Manne, Bud Shank, Harry Eddison and Bill Perkins these four albums show us what a superb guitarist and arranger Barney Kessel really was! Settle back and enjoy!
CD1 1-12: ‘Barney Kessel: Vol 1 - Easy Like’ 1. Easy Like 2. Tenderly 3. Lullaby Of Birdland 4 What Is There To Say? 5. Bernardo 6. Vicky’s Dream 7. Salute To Charlie Christian 8. That’s All 9. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart 10. Just Squeeze Me 11. April In Paris 12. North Of The Border 13-24: ‘Barney Kessel: Vol 2 - Barney Kessel Plays Standards’ 13. Speak Low 14. Love Is Here To Stay 15. On A Slow Boat To China 16. How Long Has This Been Going On 17. My Old Flame 18. Jeepers Creepers 19. Barney’s Blues 20. Prelude To A Kiss 21 A Foggy Day 22. You Stepped Out Of A Dream 23. I Didn’t Know What Time It Was 24. 64 Bars On Wilshire
CD2 1-10: ‘Barney Kessel: Vol 3 - To Swing Or Not To Swing’ 1. Begin The Blues 2. Louisiana 3. Happy Feeling 4. Embraceable You 5. Wail Street 6. Indiana 7. Moten Swing 8. Midnight Sun 9 Contemporary Blues 10. Don’t Blame Me 11-22: ‘Barney Kessel: Vol 4 - Music To Listen To Barney Kessel By’ 11. Cheerful Little Earful 12. Makin’ Whoopee 13. My Reverie 14. Blues For A Playboy 15. Love Is For The Very Young 16. Carioca 17 Mountain Greenery 18. Indian Summer 19. Gone With The Wind 20 Laura 21 I Love You 22 Fascinating Rhythm
