Another hodge podge of recordings – John Denver through Willie Dixon.

John Denver – Poems, Prayers, and Promises – His classic!  The quintessential John Denver album!  A career defining record!  I mean no disrespect to John Denver fans, but I never, ever need to hear this record again.  Even my favorite song on this album – “Junk” – is really bad.  Check out the original version from Paul McCartney’s first solo record instead.

Paul Desmond – That’s Jazz/Vol. 29 – Jim Hall, Connie Kay and the great Percy Heath.  I love Paul Desmond.  The first solo I ever learned was his solo on “Take Five,” which I learned on alto sax in 4th grade. The simplicity of his ideas and his lyricism are unparalleled.  Some amazing multi-octave, leaping lines on “Greensleeves.”

Paul Desmond – With Strings – Well, add woodwinds and Jim Hall to that list.  Lovely record.  Actually, I think I bought it because I had remembered reading an interview with John Zorn, in which he said that this was a particularly influential recording for him.

Paul Desmond – Take Ten – A classic!  I love this record.  Jim Hall is unbelievable on this.

Paul Desmond – Glad to be Unhappy – Another lovely album.  Not essential, like Take Ten, but really really great.

Al Di Meola – Elegant Gypsy – I freaking loved this record when I was a kid.  Anthony Jackson rules! Steve Gadd is amazing.  Hilarious to listen to again after all these years!  The scary thing is admitting to myself how much I borrowed/stole from Anthony Jackson.  I still do some of that stuff when I play, but on double bass. His playing on “Flight over Rio” is loaded up with stuff I do constantly.  Hmmm, I guess “Race with Devil on Spanish Highway” is like…early thrash metal?