Hey Kids ! Guess what time it is? That’s right Billy, it’s time for Dave’s Blues Album of the week. This week is kind of a stretch, but I was blown away by this one. I give you Joe Pass, Virtuoso Vol One. Released in December 1973, while this is not a blues album per se, more so a jazz playlist, there are certainly blues elements on this platter. I have known about Joe Pass for years, read his columns in the old Guitar Player mag, heard some of his playing on YouTube etc. I was watching a Rick Beato video on youtube the other day and Rick mentioned this album, so off onto another treasure hunt I go. Wow ! Major score! As you check this out, please note the complete absence of violins, piano, drums, bass, horns, giblets, gravy, extra players or instruments of any kind. This is Joe Pass and his guitar by their lonesome and it’s amazing! 12 songs, 52 minutes of brilliance. Highlights ? Well if I am forced to pick, let’s point out “Here’s That Rainy Day”, “Blues for Alican”, and “The Song is You”. So sit down, grab yourself a dry, sahara desert dry, gin martini, maybe make it “dirty”. Get one of those foot long cigarette holders, (think Hunter S Thompson), put this album on and just melt into the atmosphere. I think you will be happy you did.
