Jeffrey Burr: By Myself

Burr interprets two of his own compositions and three true jazz classics on this disc. "Witchcraft" and "Moonlight in Vermont" are certifiable chestnuts of American music, but it's still fun to hear them revisited with such love and vitality as Burr does here. Without a rhythm section elbowing him in one direction or another, the guitarist is free to concentrate relaxedly on the meat and heart of the tunes. Burr's handling of chords is particularly inviting; he inserts them much as a pianist's left hand would amidst the right-hand melody lines. The resulting drive is more than sufficient to keep each selection aloft.

"I Fall In Love Too Easily" begins with a confident single-note line, the chords peeking through bit by bit until they become fully part of the equation. Burr's own "Myoko" is languid and reflective, perhaps a sound portrait of a loved one. "The Logician" is jauntier but still contemplative, the bass notes booting things gently along.

If you're looking for the next McLaughlin or Vai, Jeffrey Burr is assuredly not for you. But if you're seeking an artist who understands what the title "jazz guitarist" is really all about, Burr's disc is highly recommended. It's letter-perfect for relaxing with a glass of tea on a warm afternoon. May we hear much more from him in the near future.

Visit Jeffrey Burr on the web at www.jeffreyburrjazz.com .

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