Set 'Em Up

Tony Purrone's first outing as a leader features Eddie Gomez on bass and Lenny White on drums. Purrone's high-velocity picking and his solidbody instrument are not exactly the stuff of a jazz guitar traditionalist, despite the acoustic jazz thrust of this and subsequent recordings. While Purrone displays straightahead smarts on "How Deep Is The Ocean" and "Ah Leu Cha," he's equally able to venture into post-bop territory where few guitarists tread, at least not in a trio setting. On Wayne Shorter's "Toy Tune" and Herbie Hancock's "Sorceror," for instance, Purrone succeeds in conveying the harmonic complexity of the music despite the inherent orchestral limitations of his instrument. What's more, he makes it sound natural, not like a struggle. His original compositions are also strong, especially the waltz "Pequonnock Valley Walk." ~ David R. Adler, Rovi