Martin Taylor - Stepping Stones - Jazz Rag

This CD is a compilation drawn from eight albums recorded for Linn records over an eight year period. There are five solo guitar items, six tracks from the tribute band Spirit of Django, a duet with violinist Stephane Grappelli, and a further duet with pianist David Newton. The solo tracks are probably the most remarkable, employing a virtuoso finger style technique which continually gives a sense of several instruments being involved. Georgia On My Mind is slow and bluesy, The Dolphin assumes an airy Pat Metheny flavour, Why Did I Choose You? is wistful and folky, I Get Along Without You Very Well is thouroughly respectful of the original melody and I Got Rhythm is quite startling, Martin Taylor playing dazzling counterpoint, spinning simultaneous melodic lines on bass and treble strings. The Spirit of Django pieces exude a strong Reinhardt flavour without any attempt to merely duplicate the Hot Clug of France sound. Meetings with Grappelli and Newton are very rewarding equal partnerships and again impress mightily.