There was no shortage of jazz tribute albums in the '90s, most of which focused on a particular artist. But on
Homage, guitarist
Randy Johnston pays homage to ten artists he admires and makes things interesting by opting for variety. Not surprisingly,
Johnston salutes some jazz guitarists, including
Kenny Burrell on "Lyresto,"
George Benson on "The Cooker," and
Pat Metheny and
Wes Montgomery on "Pat and Wes" (which shows us how Montgomery influenced certain aspects of Metheny's distinctive sound). But most of the artists
Johnston salutes aren't jazz guitarists; he also shows his appreciation of everyone from rock guitarist
Jimi Hendrix on "Angel" (which works perfectly well in a hard bop setting), to jazz-influenced pop icon
Frank Sinatra on "All or Nothing At All," to jazz pianist
Cedar Walton on "Cedar's Place." And
Johnston acknowledges two very different tenor saxophonists by saluting the big-toned
Dexter Gordon on "Society Red" and the cool-toned
Warne Marsh on "Loco 47." Those who find jazz tribute albums of the '90s to be extremely predictable will be glad to know that on
Homage,
Johnston manages to keep us guessing. ~ Alex Henderson