Sets the Bar

The guitar work on this album contains so much quality and nuance that it should be considered one of the greatest guitar recordings ever. Without question in my mind, and apparently many others, Ted Greene was a true genius. There was no hidden agenda with Ted, he was the real deal and his music and teachings will inspire for years to come. Read the book "My Life With the Chord Chemist" and you will gain insight into his beautiful mind.

5 stars isn't enough

Ted Greene is mind-numbing. If you play guitar you'll be stunned by his technique (assuming his instructional books haven't already done that). But technique aside, the music is beautiful, the arrangements perfect and did I mention his guitar playing is amazing! RIP Ted, you didn't record nearly enough.

Chances are that most jazz fans may not have heard of jazz guitarist Ted Greene, though it is not for his lack of abilities. One of a handful of players able to command attention during an album’s worth of unaccompanied performances, Greene evidently has not pursued many recording opportunities following this 1977 debut, which was first issued by the PMP label. Like Joe Pass, Bucky Pizzarelli, Martin Taylor, and a few other guitar masters, Greene is adept enough to accompany himself by playing a melodic line and supporting rhythm, such that novices will think they are listening to two guitarists. Most of this session is devoted to standards like “Ol’ Man River,” “Just Friends,” and a medley of “Summertime” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” all played with finesse and imagination. He avoids the hackneyed approach to songs of more recent vintage, such as “Send in the Clowns” and “Watch What Happens,” by utilizing creative voicings. This session was finally reissued in 2004 by Art of Life, and it is a mystery as to why Ted Greene hasn’t been heard from since the recording was originally made. He is long overdue to make a follow-up. Highly recommended. – Ken Dryden