The first recording by
the Great Guitars in over a decade has a change in personnel. A serious stroke had ended
Barney Kessel's career, but
Herb Ellis and
Charlie Byrd were still very much active. Fellow veteran guitarist
Mundell Lowe took
Kessel's place, and as a wild card, on eight of the 13 selections the versatile
Larry Coryell is heard on fourth guitar. With fine backup by bassist
John Goldsby and drummer
Tim Horner, the guitarists swing hard on a variety of bop and swing-oriented tunes including "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," "A Smooth One," "The Lady in Red," and "Seven Come Eleven," in addition to some more recent originals. ~ Scott Yanow