Track Listing

1. Secret Love
2. Funk 'N Benny
3. Hypertension
4. Shades of Grey
5. Into the Blue Light
6. Philly Joe
7. Midnight Blue
8. Fat Tuesday
9. First Dance
10. Perdido
11. Stella by Starlight
12. Impressions

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #57509 in Music
• Released on: 2001-12-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Customer Reviews

A very fine disc . . .
. . . likely to get lost in the welter of much more powerful and experimental jazz offerings.

As I write this review, I am listening to Josh Roseman's absolutely incredible disc, Treats for the Nightwalker. Can Jimmy Bruno compete with the rhythmic, harmonic, variegated instrumental soundscape presented in Roseman's disc? No. Emphatically no. Or what about Nicholas Payton's latest offering, Sonic Trance? Again, no.

Thus, Bruno's in danger of falling between two stools with his new disc, which explores a broader range of styles and richer sonic palette than previous outings; that is, he's in danger of losing his traditional base of post-bop guitar enthusiasts without capturing the Josh Roseman and Nicholas Payton crowd.

But for an artist like Bruno, I don't think he has any choice. He can't just keep plying his trade in the post-bop backwaters, retaining a handful of loyalists; nor can he jump completely into nu jazz. So his strategy of expanding his soundscape while retaining his formost virtues--extremely clean single note guitar excursions--seems the proper route to go.

And if you can forget about the dazzling discs of cutting edge practitioners like Roseman, Payton, Dave Douglas, and Brad Mehldau, he's come up with a recording that is entirely enjoyable and perfectly creditable, within its staked-out territory. As long as we're not looking for the Next Big Thing, I think we can listen to this music with great appreciation.

I, personally, happen to be more taken with the those who are expanding the tradition along more adventerous lines. But I have to say that, after repeated listenings, I have come to admire--and more importantly--greatly enjoy this disc which features certainly one of the most brilliant contemporary jazz guitarists on the scene.

Marginal At Best...
After an easy day at the office, there is no greater pleasure than relaxing in your boxers, getting a nice cold Bud, crawlin' up onto the couch and listening to the latest Ted Nugent CD. If your not into The "Nuge" than I guess Jimmy Bruno will serve as a decent second fiddle.

This man plays a technically decent guitar, but without feel or emotion aka Terrible Ted. Is this music so tight? If your lonely maybe. I am often moved to write reviews; and when I do, you know it's gotta be fairly humorous. Some people need to find a partner and not spend so much time alone on their couch drinking coffee. Not to mention slamming Electric Wizard, Atomic Bitchwax, and Buddy Guy. Keep those no votes comin' !

the guy has got chops, but where's the melodicism.
I've heard Jimmy's CD's before and the playing is good in terms of chops and time, but where's the melodicism, where is the feel? Having checked out his latest, midnight blue, i am somewhat dissapointed. I expected him to take his music in a new direction--his writing is somewhat different a little more modern--but he simply turns many of his tunes into chops displays, like his long directionless solo over hypertension. There is an abscense of melodicism in his playing that you hear in greats like Keith Jarrett, Miles, Wes!!...Metheny, Benson. Nevertheless the group that backs Jimmy is solid, particularly evident in Gerald Veasly's playing. There's a lot to be said for Jimmy's acomplishments as a guitarist : his tecnical skill over the fretboard is obviously pretty high. But chops and fast playing are no substitute for strong melodies that fit logicaly over the changes.