Resonance
Resonancecomes from a 1974 date at Donte's in Hollywood, with guitarist Joe Pass leading a trio of Jim Hughart on electric bass and Frank Severino on drums. It's easy to wonder about a 26-year-old session appearing for the first time in 2000, but the only question here is why it took so long. Pass is in wonderful form on both fast tempos and ballads, generating quicksilver choruses with rhythmic variety and a sound at once light and resonant. Most of the material is familiar, but there's still thought and affection in the choice of standards. "Corcovado" has Pass developing a distinctive approach to the bossa nova rhythm, and "The Lamp Is Low" retains its melodic interest even at the rapid clip he sets for it. There are as many moments with Pass in a reflective mood. "How Deep Is the Ocean?"  is taken as a solo with some of the hallmarks of theVirtuosorecordings, including the scintillating runs and harmonically imaginative chord passages. At its close, it segues neatly into a lightly accompanied version of "Come Rain or Come Shine," another beautiful ballad. There's more of the same onBurton Lane's "Too Late Now" and "Misty." The rhythm section is particularly good on two of Pass's original blues. "N.E.C." combines funk with sophistication, Pass building tension with rapid repeated phrases and some gritty lower-register picking until "Work Song" emerges, played in octaves à la Wes Montgomery. The group stretches out at a loping medium tempo on "Bloos for Baby B," with solo room for Hughart and Severino. This is an instant minor classic of traditional jazz guitar.--Stuart Broomer