Slick! (Live at Oil Can Harry's) (Live)

Albumbeschreibung

Some scandalmongers have always seen Grant Green as some kind of “light” version of the untouchable Wes Montgomery. A very reductive description of this great guitarist, who may be less flamboyant and groundbreaking than his elder but is truly a virtuoso when it comes to smooth groove. During the 1960s, Green will pen with Blue Note, as a leader but also as a sideman, unique pieces with a blues soul. Jazz guitarists were rather rare at the time and the voice coming out of his ten fingers was rather original… Recorded on September 5, 1975 at the Oil Can Harry’s in Vancouver for CHQM-FM radio, Slick! introduces the American guitarist accompanied with his band based in Detroit composed of Emmanuel Riggins (father of drummer Karriem Riggins) on electric piano, Ronnie Ware on bass, Greg “Vibrations” Williams on drums and Gerald Izzard on percussion. A little more than three years before his sudden death following a heart attack at only 43 years old, the guitarist from Missouri is in his funkiest phase. For proof, the ultra groovy medley lasting more than 30 minutes including sections from Stanley Clarke’s Vulcan Princess, the Ohio Players’ Skin Tight, Bobby Womack’s Woman’s Gotta Have It, Stevie Wonder’s Boogie On Reggae Woman or the O’Jays’ For The Love Of Money. Grant Green is then untouchable on this ground of perfect balance between swing and funk. © Marc Zisman/Qobuz