Joe Pass - Summer Nights

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

During the last few years of his life, guitarist Joe Pass enjoyed having reunions with the same musicians who played with him 25 years earlier for the classic For Django recording: rhythm guitarist John Pisano, bassist Jim Hughart and drummer Colin Bailey. This 1989 recording could almost be called For Django 2, for it is the same vein as the original. Pass takes his remake of "For Django" unaccompanied and performs four of Django's tunes, along with five standards from the 1930s and three originals. Pisano, who was instrumental in organizing the session and the repertoire, sticks to acoustic guitar, while Pass alternates between acoustic and electric. Although Joe Pass' main influence was Charlie Christian and he really does not sound like Reinhardt, he manages to evoke the spirit of Django while swinging in his own fashion. It is particularly nice hearing such tunes as "Belleville," the haunting "Tears" and "For Django" in newer versions.

Joe Pass
Summer Nights

1. Summer Night (Al Dubin, Harry Warren) 2. Anouman (Django Reinhardt) 3. Douce Ambiance (Reinhardt) 4. For Django (Joe Pass) 5. D-Joe (Pisano) 6. I Got Rhythm (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) 7. E-Blue Eyes (Pass) 8. Belleville (Reinhardt) 9. (In My) Solitude (Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Eddie DeLange) 10. Tears (Razao le Viver) (Eumir Deodato) – 4:48 11. In a Sentimental Mood (Ellington, Mills, Manny Kurtz) 12. Them There Eyes (Maceo Pinkard, Doris Tauber, William Tracey) Joe Pass – guitar John Pisano – guitar Jim Hughart – bass Colin Bailey – drums