Joe Pass - Virtuoso (1974) Part 1 (Full Album)

Track List: 1-4

1. Joe Pass - Night And Day (0:00)
2. Joe Pass - Stella By Starlight (3:32)
3. Joe Pass - Here's That Rainy Day (8:43)
4. Joe Pass - My Old Flame (12:19)

Reception:
Contemporaneous reviews were positive. For example, The Guardian commented on Pass' "staggering dexterity, [...] matched by his fluency of ideas and the originality of his voicing", and The Irish Times stated that, "Apart from a certain fallibility with regard to time, Pass is without significant fault, a fact borne out by the quite incredible performances here".

Looking back from 2005, All About Jazz described the album as "the recording to announce that Joe Pass had arrived", and said that he had "accomplished, using standard guitar performance techniques, to play lead melody lines, chords, and bass rhythm simultaneously and at tempo, giving the listener the impression that multiple guitars were being played". The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings listed the album as part of its suggested “core collection” of essential recordings.

[tsgsomething]

This album is part of the reason I learned jazz guitar and ended up playing for years in traveling bands

[peterchen]

Took a masterclass from Joe in the early 1980’s, what a great teacher! I was a classical guitarist at the time, totally converted to jazz.

[Yoursoulismine]

Joe Pass is the only person who could record an album of solo guitar, call it "Virtuoso", and have the name be accurate instead of pretentious

[AXELAX]

This is the first solo jazz guitar record I ever heard. I was blown a way - been playing guitar for 14 years and it inspired me to expand out of my indie/folk comfort zone & learn some jazz.

[waveegravee]

Listening to this album, I can't help but be reminded of Salieri's description of Mozart's music when he said:
"Here again was the very voice of God." Such was Joe's immense talent.

[RickMooreWrites]

I helped produce a solo show with Joe at the Four Queens jazz night in Las Vegas back in nineteen ninety or so. It was to this day the most incredible display of virtuosity on any instrument that i've ever seen.

[idahopotato]

Just found this at 60 and I fell in love with music and the guitar in about 1970. Radio needs to play more good stuff.

[NeilRaouf]

Art Tatum vibes and talent level all over the place. special.

[cesarmarolla]

No words. Simply amazing and still ahead of the times. I'm dedicating a song on his name and legacy on my upcoming album. A true virtuoso.

[carnivaltym]

If time travel were possible, I'd take Joe back for a couple of weeks to jam with Bach on harpsicord and record the outcome. Reckon, it would be the second to none duo performance ever!

[synergyhowacquisition]

what a phenomenal "legend" Joe was! when it comes to the electric guitar there is no other genre's of music that could ever compare to the jazz guitarist!.... just like Tina Turner said their simply the best" by far!

[gerguil]

What melodies Joe rocked in a jazzy way.

[shaqszalewski]

What an album... 😲 thank you so much for sharing it!

[S.VinsonBurdette]

Yes, here due to Rick Beato's video about this life-changing album!

[StringShredder]

I've been playing about 20 years and shamefully this is the first time I have ever listened to Joe Pass. I've of course knew the name and I now know what I have been missing out on🎸

[leereddy]

Never ever listened to Joe Pass before, Tony Iommi referenced him as an influence and had to check him out. This is amazing stuff.

[ryan]

Really is a true virtuoso of guitar absolutely incredible in league with djanjo reinhardt

[sid-mx]

just got to the u.s. from japan after not getting drafted in '73 and a year later my older brother came over and said "check this out..." my jaw dropped as he asked what do you think? i'd been listening to barney kessel, whom i still dig to hear but this blew me away! I think of them both as they influenced why i love jazz so much and remember their playing....

[flooghini]

Some dude in the bar said I should listen to this album to get better at guitar. I'm feeling inspired, y'all

[WillyWirth]

Fantastic! Thanks from Buenos Aires Argentina