Solo Guitar

I have been playing guitar for over 20 years. I love Wes Montgomery, Ed Bickert, John Scofield, Jim Hall, Bill frisell, Grant Green, and many others. But you now have an idea of my tatse.Having said this it wasn't until last year that my brother turned me on to this CD. My first thought was, "if he was that great I would have already owned this CD years ago." But on my brother's word I picked this CD up. My first impression? "Amazing!"This entire CD runs less than 40 minutes. But it's definately a case of quality over quantity. From the first song to the last there is not a single dud. Every song is amazingly arranged with heartfelt passion and precision. Easily one of my top 10 desert island discs. And from me that's saying a lot.Ted's style is very similar to Lenny Breau. Finger picks everything. Each track sounds as though there are two tracks playing at once. But it's simply a very talented individual pouring his heart out for you.If you read about Ted's life (he's no longer with us) you'll find he was a very humble man. He was a student of music (all forms) and also one of the most respected teachers in the art. For Ted, teaching others was more important than his own recording success. As a result, this is sadly his only commercial recording.The album was recorded with Ted playing with two mics, one in front of his amp and one in front of a rotating Leslie. This gives his sound an etheral chorus effect.If you're looking for a jazz CD don't let the pop titles of a few of these tracks fool you. They are all given a warm treatment. Give the samples a listen and you'll see what I mean.If you're on the fence about purchasing this CD, just dive right in. You will not regret it. The music is very accesible regardless of your tastes and musical background. It's not a coincidence that this CD's reviews are all 5 stars.Enjoy!

It may seems strange. I don't own this record (I didn't at the time of this review, now of course I own It), but this morning I can't do nothing but listen countless times the samples of "Solo Guitar" here on Amazon. I find this record sublime. Nothing less. I didn't know about Ted Greene prior to these listenings and I am a Jazz guitarist that knows every player around present and gone. This to say how secret this album and this player really are. This is a gem, you can easily hear what a wonderful kind of harmonizations Ted was able to produce. His guitar was like a grand piano. Fantastic his use of harmonics too. He reminds me a little bit of Johnny Smith. And Johnny is one of my favourite players for sure. There's even something from Lenny Breau in his music, and Lenny was another master of the Jazz solo guitar playing. Ted's music is technically brilliant and emotionally tender and at the same time absolutly mesmerizing. The beauty this man had inside is really present in his music. You can feel he was a clean, gentle soul. This music is of the highest technical level possible but it is played to please and to give the audience emotions. It's not an ego trip, something that can happen in Jazz. It's a work of art of a lifetime (Ted infact recorded only this record under his own name). I'm gonna buy immediatly this album (and even the music books Ted wrote) because the samples here are absolutly enough to let me understand how big was this man and how precious his music was ..... if you have enough hear for true music you will do the same. A gem.Some times later ... now I own this one. As I already told you, it's a gem. Nothing less.

Dislike that this genius left too soonLike that I got my hands on this gift from God. I can’t recall how I came across Ted videos probably surfing Telecaster. I immediately became a “Johnny TedGreeneseed”. I always wanted to play jazz guitar in the worst way and I do. Ted soothes the music out of the guitar

Ted Greene was by far the most important guitarist in the 20th century, not because of his technical skill, which is still close to flawless, but because of his lifelong research into the mechanics of the instrument, tonal properties, theory, and his love of teaching. There is a website dedicated to his teachings where you can vastly improve your knowledge and appreciation for this genius, and for the music we all love. This was unfortunately his only album released, but you can still find myriads of recordings of him on YouTube, so I recommend purchasing this album and listening to all there is to offer online.

I have few words to offer that can do this album justice. If you love solo jazz guitar, you will treasure this contribution from one of the all-time masters of the instrument. The multi-part arrangements sound like at least two people playing at once. Walking bass, lyrical melodies and intelligent harmonies flow out with beautiful clean tones. This is not just another stuffy jazz guitar album. It's smooooooth - easy for anyone to listen to.Greene's arrangements are musical, lyrical, heavenly sounding, swinging, lovely and simply amazing. A true master.I have been playing serious guitar a long time and have enjoyed hearing the many great players of all genres throughout my life. I can think of very few as put together as Ted Greene. The tasteful merger of a master technician harnessed within a sensitive artist. Inspired and inspiring - deserves 7 stars.

This is an example of the genius of Ted Greene's virtuosity and musical taste. Although recorded in the mid '70s, he already showed his mastery of chord based melody and an indication of his musical direction. His vibrato is shimmering and produced solely by hand with very few if any outboard sound effects. The only downside is he did no later studio recordings (besides the lessons shown on You Tube by many of his students and from seminars he gave). Still, a great taste of some of his favorite musical compositions. Definitely a must-hear if you are a fan.

We all go through that beautiful mind phase of guitar playing, but few of us leave it with two inch toe nails. Someday a melody will come, free of haiku. Infinite possibilities, and this is what he chose. . .sonically luscious meanderings.

Beautiful music from a master of his instrument. He should be as well known as the other great jazz guitarists, like Joe Pass, Kenny Burrell etc. but I understand he didn't seek fame and fortune. My only two regrets are that there aren't more albums by Ted Greene and that this one is relatively short. All the more reason to treasure what we have though I guess. If you want to see Ted playing, go to YouTube. There's video of a class he taught at a music college where he talks to the students plays his guitar at the same time. It's tempting to observe that playing the guitar seems effortless to him, but of course that ignores all the hard work that goes into getting to that place.

There is so little of his work around. The few sketchy youtube videos are about the best thing I have found, the other is this CD. Somehow it went missing from my collection so I had to re-order it and I am grateful there resellers out there who still have copies.

Not much to say about Ted Greene other than he is a master of the guitar. Not many of guitarist have nearly the level of harmonic understand on 6 strings ... some brilliant songs covered here with a solo guitar (Sounds like he is playing 10!)

Ted Greene playing solo. ‘Nuff said.

Brill CD fantastic guitar player,