Herb Ellis

Herb Ellis's first record for the Dot label was also his last, and his last solo project (apart from a Columbia release around the same time) for the next eight years, during which time he mostly played sessions on other people's albums. With tenor saxman Teddy Edwards, organist Ron Feuer, bassist Monty Budwig, and drummer Stan Levey, he has put together a tight pop-jazz ensemble, in which Ellis' guitar is surprisingly understated in its prominence. This may actually disappoint some fans, though the playing by Edwards and Feuer is certainly pleasing enough, even if Ellis does most of the really interesting improvising, most notably on Ray Brown's "AM Blues." "Tennessee Waltz" is also well worth hearing, for Ellis' and Edwards' playing. And the group has fun with "Besame Mucho" as well. The CD version of this album is available exclusively as a Japanese import (Universal Victor), with extremely delicate sound in a superb analog-to-digital transfer. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide