Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0013431487920
Label: Concord Records
Manufacturer: Concord Records
Number Of Discs: 1
Packaged Height: 54 hundredths-inches
Packaged Length: 555 hundredths-inches
Packaged Weight: 18 hundredths-pounds
Packaged Width: 497 hundredths-inches
Publisher: Concord Records
Release Date: 2000-03-14
Studio: Concord Records
Product Description:
It's a sad footnote to For Louis that before it was even released, Charlie Byrd passed away. Byrd's death in December 1999 ended an astonishing career, one that hit incredible highs with Stan Getz on Jazz Samba (not to mention the Woody Herman tours, the various Brazilian awards, etc.). But Byrd always elected a fairly low-key place in jazz, fingerpicking a nylon-string guitar rather than a more conventional electric instrument. He interjected Brazilian motifs and rhythmic structures all over the place--opening this tribute to Louis Armstrong with a bossa-built reading of Sidney Bechet's "Petite Fleur," for example. Byrd's early studies with Andres Segovia are abundantly evident in this last studio setting, his guitar shining like a low-watt bulb behind the horns and then in front of the rhythm and piano. The clarity in his tone is unmistakable on "Autumn in New York" and "A Child Is Born." As an Armstrong tribute, For Louis has a strong sense of identity and a clear focus on low-key swing that reaches its highest temperatures when trumpeter Joe Wilder is soloing. "What a Wonderful World" has a luminescent peace to it, like Segovia with the blues, and "Struttin' with Some Barbecue" sounds like a danceable summertime gem with samba hints and a spirited clip. It's a fine farewell for Byrd and a fine homage to Satchmo. --Andrew Bartlett
Customer Reviews:
2 of 2 customers found the following review helpful:
 "Charlie was a true original - unique musical vision", 2001-01-30
Concord Jazz presents one of the true great jazz musicians of our time, Charlie Byrd in his final studio recording - "For Louis", having the greatest respect for "Satchmo Armstrong" this album was conceived and dedicated.Charlie and his love for the guitar was influenced by Andreas Segovia and Charlie Christian, but it was in Brazil he discovered his love for the emerging "bossa nova" movement. Recorded with the great saxophonist Stan Getz the big hit - "Desafinado" in 1962 and the bossa nova wave arrived in North America. Byrd recorded for Concord in the mid '70s to the '90s, holds the distinction as the artist with the longest consecutive history with the label, over twenty-five years - here are just a few titles "Blue Byrd" (1978), "Sugarloaf Suite" (1979), "Brazilville" (1981), "Isn't It Romantic" (1984), "Tango" (1985), "It's A Wonderful World" (1988), "Du Hot Club De Concord" (1995), "Great Guitars 2" (1995), "My Inspiration: Music of Brazil" (1999) and this current release with the tasteful, low-key and ingratiatingly melodic style Charlie is noted for. The entire album is a HIGHLIGHT, as Charlie celebrates Louis Armstrong we say thank you, for the indelible contribution and the introduction of both classical guitar and Brazilian influences, which created a whole new musical blueprint for us to follow...spin this CD, sit back and just listen to GREAT JAZZ - Charlie Byrd style! Total Time: 58:39 on 12 Tracks...Concord Jazz CCD-4879...(2000)
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