Grant Green
Green Street


4.0
excellent

Review

by OmairSh USER (35 Reviews)
December 9th, 2020 | 15 replies


Release Date: 1961 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Elegance, flair, and personality emanate from Jazz great Grant Green’s charming second release.

In the earliest days of Grant Green’s solo career the guitar was truly the centrepiece of the music, and the recordings featuring a simple three piece band setup is possibly a large part of it. As he progressed through his career he expanded his stylistic vocabulary and explored various ends of the Jazz spectrum, incorporating an assortment of guest musicians that heavily infused their pizzazz via the piano, violin, and various brass instruments. No doubt these later albums are enjoyable and of a very high quality, but Grant’s presence on these albums is severely diminished in order to accommodate the various solo sections of the guest musicians. Albums like Green Street place Grant’s guitar playing firmly in the spot light, and that’s truly where it shines brightest.

Grant’s been gifted with a vibrant musical brain that flourishes in his lead playing. He’s technically adept, as you’d expect from any Jazz axeman, but his unremitting incorporation of tasteful licks and memorable melodic lines in the middle of his solos are what make his guitar playing stand out. His understanding of the fretboard is noteworthy as he makes dazzling runs down the neck, playing a plethora of notes along the way but constantly with meaning & purpose. Sometimes Jazz guitarists suffer from indulging too deeply into aimless technical excursions, so it’s always pleasing to stumble upon artists that don’t forget the basic foundations of what make songs memorable. It doesn’t hurt that his tone is as smooth as honey, while his playing is smoother.

The music on the album present some of the main ingredients of the Jazz tonic; with some songs and song sections being of a slower vintage Jazz cadence akin to having a glass of whisky by the fireplace at home and reflecting on life, whilst others traverse swing territory that will get you unconsciously tapping your foot and bobbing your head to the music, much like after a few shots of Tequila. The majority of the album does tend to veer more towards the latter style and shows Grant’s more playful side. There are three original compositions and a couple of endearing “Jazz Standard” covers, one being of a certain Thelonious Monk. It seemed like a trend to cover Standards and classics in the world of Jazz back in the day, perhaps re-arranging classics whist injecting their own flavor must have been something artists relished. For me personally the original tracks stand out the most, especially the upbeat “No. 1 Green Street” and varied “Green with Envy”, clocking in at close to 10 minutes.

Grant is supported by an accomplished rhythm section whose main focus is in ensuring their contributions augment the compositions, and provide that essential sense of rhythm and groove over which Grant’s guitar playing can be more unbridled. They even get some solo spots to flex their muscles a tad more and relay that improvisational Jazz spirit.

The limitations of Green Street lie in the complete absence of guest musicians. While being a three piece helps bring Grant’s guitar playing to the forefront, the presence of a few other instruments would have certainly enriched this album by adding even more layers to the mix, in a manner similar to Wes Montgomery’s use of guest instrumentalists, and to an extent Grant’s later releases however if his presence was considerably increased. Nevertheless I wouldn’t say this really tarnishes the overall listening experience, it just could possibly diversified it more.

At the end of the day all I'll say is take a walk down Green Street, and I’m sure you’ll find at least a few interesting spots along the journey, and perhaps even some reasons to revisit. And if not, at the very least it’ll be a new experience, in a tinge of green.


Recommended Tracks
1. No. 1 Green Street
2. Green With Envy

"Green With Envy:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4UHiWOeJYI&list=PLzFqEh_mqdQDMNkeTkIg fI9BPq2hNmne4&index=4



Recent reviews by this author
Always Never Always NeverMizraab Maazi, Haal, Mustaqbil
Estas Tonne Internal FlightJim Matheos Away with Words
Zeb and Haniya Chup!Keeray Makoray Island In The City
user ratings (46)
4
excellent

Comments:Add a Comment 
OmairSh
December 9th 2020


17733 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I'm baaaaaaack......for a bit I guess



Really enjoyed this. Falling in love with his playing

Mythodea
December 9th 2020


7457 Comments


I'm just passing by to say congrats for the new review. I'll read it when I have time.

Trifolium
December 9th 2020


39957 Comments


Oooooh nice!!!! I love Idle Moments but it's the only one I've heard by him.
Great review and I'm going to check this out.

OmairSh
December 9th 2020


17733 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Thanks boisss! Yeah man do check this and "Solid" out. Both albums contain delicious guitar playing that I think you'd definitely enjoy Trif



And Idle Moments is amazing agreeeed

parksungjoon
December 9th 2020


47231 Comments


fuckin sweet

i wanted to put this on one of my lists earlier in the year but for some reason i didnt

OmairSh
December 9th 2020


17733 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Happens to the best of us park



So much quality music out there, so hard to keep track off it all



parksungjoon
December 9th 2020


47231 Comments


yea i think i ended up going with an early coleman and an early dolphy instead for that list

but hey, this review might be better exposure :]

OmairSh
December 9th 2020


17733 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

That's normally the aim with my reviews :-)

trickert
December 10th 2020


355 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Great album. One can't have enough 60's Grant Green. Nice review.

parksungjoon
December 12th 2020


47231 Comments


check some of pat metheny group's albums

OmairSh
February 1st 2021


17733 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Time to jam some Grant again

sonictheplumber
December 2nd 2021


17569 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

great shit

parksungjoon
July 16th 2022


47231 Comments


great review thanks for reviewin

rabidfish
August 2nd 2022


8781 Comments


this rulz

OmairSh
July 18th 2024


17733 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Such a smooth and melodic guitarist



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy