Royce Campbell Six by Six
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he guitar has been an integral part of jazz since Charlie Christian plugged in his amplifier for the very first time. Both as a part of the rhythm section and soloist, acoustic or electric, some of the greatest of jazz throughout the years have come from the guitar. From the lush and identifiable sound of Wes Montgomery, from the richly melodic phrases of Jimmy Raney to the virtuosity of Joe Pass, the guitar has been the outspoken sound of jazz music.
Royce Campbell, who spent 19 of his years with Henry Mancini besides being a wonderful jazz practitioner, is a student of the instrument's rich jazz history. On his CD Six by Six he performs with five contemporary jazz greats: John Abercrombie, Larry Coryell, Pat Martino, Bucky Pizzarelli and Dave Stryker. On the CD Royce plays along side of these giants on two tracks apiece.
The CD kicks off with a medium fast blues; Happy Blues, that places Royce alongside Larry Coryell. The two take this and have fun with it. While each solos the other comps tastefully behind. The thing I find most amazing about Royce's playing is his ability to blend with the style of the guitarist he plays with. Love For Sale follows, opening in a funky way not usually associated with this Cole Porter evergreen. Once into it they both lay back and give us some inspiring solos and compings.
The next two tracks feature Royce with Pat Martino. Milestones and John Coltrane's Naima are played with an entirely different feeling and groove. Again, I'm amazed at how at home Royce is with each guitar great on this CD. Martino is an excellent technician and his ideas come across in a very articulate way. One of the most underrated of the jazz guitarists, he and Royce bring across a joy of playing that comes across and vacillates the listener, especially when they trade fours on Milestones. Naima is played with a bossa grove and glides gently as both guitarists blend into each other ever so gracefully and skillfully.
The next two tracks with John Abercrombie opens with an original of Royce's, Angular Blues, that is a flag waver and they both swing the shit out of it. Showing great technique and thoughts, this is a toe tapper that is animated and full of original ideas. Again, Royce amazingly shows how comfortable he is along side these guitar legends. Royce further shows us his writing skills on the more introverted and haunting theme, Day Into Night. Abercrombie is in full gear for this line and he and Royce explore the dark shadows of this poignant tune.
Dave Stryker is up next for the following two cuts. They kick off their set with a Bill Evans line, Interplay. I should at this point mention the sensitivity and taste of the excellent backup all the guitarists receive from the first rate rhythm sections supporting them. There are four bass players and three drummers scattered throughout this set. Among them, the great Billy Drummond and Joe Cocuzzo contribute on drums. Stryker takes a brilliant solo on Interplay and Royce follows it unintimidated and displays some inspired licks of his own. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise comes on like gangbusters and Royce opens with a stimulating solo to this often played as a ballad, ballad. Dave follows, and adds more flavors to this samba inspired offering of this great old Sigmund Romberg melody. They finally take it out by stretching out a bit and by doing some tasty call and response.
For the last two tracks Royce is teamed with the true guitar legend master, Bucky Pizzarelli, John's dad. Darn That Dream is played classically as Royce approaches Bucky's taste and economical approach to jazz. Royce's solo is full of intense passion that comes across and leaves me with an emotional uplift. Bucky, who has hung out with Zoot Sims, Jimmy Rowles and musicians of that ilk is forever classical. The music ends with Bucky and Royce doing the Rogers and Hart gem, Dancing On The Ceiling.
For anyone that loves jazz guitar, this CD is a must for your collection. For anyone that loves jazz, you will want this CD. Royce has really pulled it off playing alongside and feeling at home with these five guitar legends. If we lived in a perfect world this CD would be on the top twenty list. At this moment, for whatever it's worth, it's on mine.