"Masterpiece Guitars" (04/06/2004) Instrumental Taylor, Martin, Sony Music Distribution (USA)MASTERPIECE GUITARS pairs six-string wizards Steve Howe and Martin Taylor for 17 tracks of guitar-loving goodness. Jazz guitarist Martin Taylor and rock guitarist Steve Howe would seem an unlikely pair to make a CD together, but they had an opportunity, thanks to the generosity of a fan with a wide-ranging collection of vintage collectable guitars. In 1996, the two guitarists gathered over the course of several sessions and chose various instruments, often using several within one track via overdubbing. The two guitarists play together on just five of the 17 tracks, with Taylor playing ten solos and Howe two. Taylor's unusual setting of Kenny Dorham's "Blue Bossa" incorporates one guitar for rhythm, while he switches off among 18 other instruments for the solo. His setting of "All the Things You Are" adds a surprising lyrical introduction, while the arrangement contrasts with the typically over the top bop recordings. Howe's spacious "Tailpiece" suggests a lonely journey in the desert. Taylor also penned several originals, including the tasty bossa nova "Cherokee Ridge." Among the duo features, the enchanting, understated interpretation of "Smile" has a special appeal. This session will be of special interest to guitarists, though anyone familiar with either Martin Taylor or Steve Howe ought to investigate this enjoyable CD. ~ Ken Dryden Mention Steve Howe's name to most people, and they immediately think of his work with the British progressive rock powerhouse Yes. But there is more to Howe than progressive rock; outside of Yes, the guitarist has also embraced Spanish flamenco, ragtime, and many other things. Howe is versatile and eclectic, and on Masterpiece Guitars, he demonstrates that Bill Bruford isn't the only Yes member (past or present) who is capable of playing jazz. Howe co-leads this session with fellow guitarist Martin Taylor, who is primarily a jazz musician -- and the results are a long way from Howe's work with Yes. You won't hear "Close to the Edge," "Long Distance Runaround," "The Gates of Delirium," or "Starship Trooper" on this album. What you will hear is a lot of bop -- very straight-ahead, swinging, acoustic-oriented bop -- and the two guitarists enjoy a strong rapport on original material as well as inspired performances of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," Jerome Kern's "All the Things You Are," and Lerner & Loewe's "Thank Heaven for Little Girls." On a few occasions, Masterpiece Guitars strays from jazz; Howe's "Tailpiece," for example, is perhaps best described as progressive bluegrass. It certainly has that down-home country twang. But if Masterpiece Guitars offers a few side dishes that aren't jazz, it's safe to say that straight-ahead jazz is the main course. Straight-ahead jazz is Taylor's strong point -- that's what he does best, and on Masterpiece Guitars, jazz also works enjoyably well for the broad-minded Steve Howe. ~ Alex Henderson
