Herb Ellis - Thank You, Charlie Christian

Thank You Charlie Christian pays homage to the legendary jazz guitarist in a manner most appropriate to an innovator of his stature -- rather than merely imitate that which is inimitable, Herb Ellis channels the imagination and expressiveness of his hero to create a lean, mean sound far more forward-thinking than nostalgic. Like Christian, Ellis favors feeling over flash and economy over excess -- paired here with pianist Frank Strazzari, bassist Chuck Berghofer, cellist Harry Babasin and drummer Kenny Hume, he creates a series of compact and determinedly contemporary bop snapshots in vivid Technicolor, not the black-and-white of a bygone era. A beautiful and heartfelt record that draws from the past but refuses to live in it.

Jason Ankeny

Source : http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jzfwxqugldke

Herb Ellis

Quintet
Thank You, Charlie Christian

Tracks

1 Pickly Wickley (Ellis) 3:17
2 I Told Ya I Love Ya, Now Get Out (Carter, Ellis, Frigo) 2:52
3 Cook One (Ellis) 2:54
4 Karin (Ellis) 4:41
5 Cherry Kijafa (Ellis, Thomas) 4:17
6 Thank You Charlie Christian (Ellis) 7:38
7 Alexander's Ragtime Band (Berlin) 2:52
8 Lemon Twist (Troup) 2:48
9 Everything's Pat (Ellis) 3:35
10 Workin' with the Truth (Ellis) 1:58

Personnel
Herb Ellis - g
Harry Babasin - cel
Frank Strazzari - p
Chuck Berghofer - b
Kenny Hume - dr

Recorded on July 1 & 2, 1960