Joe Diorio-”Solo Guitar” CD Reissue Review
Vintage Joe Diorio recording that was originally released in 1975 on the Spitball label
(SB-2). Some of the other records by Joe on that label were, Straight Ahead to the
Light with Steve Bagby, SoloDuo with Wally Cirillo, Rapport with Cirillo and Peaceful
Journey (solo). Peaceful Journey and Solo Guitar are my favorites of that series.
Solo Guitar is a huge departure from what was generally being played in 1975. The
innovations Joe was doing were hardly noticed as it sounded so easy and right. I
think Joe is using the middle pick-up as the sound is so sharp and biting
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Joe Diorio-”Solo Guitar” CD Reissue Review
Vintage Joe Diorio recording that was originally released in 1975 on the Spitball label
(SB-2). Some of the other records by Joe on that label were, Straight Ahead to the
Light with Steve Bagby, SoloDuo with Wally Cirillo, Rapport with Cirillo and Peaceful
Journey (solo). Peaceful Journey and Solo Guitar are my favorites of that series.
Solo Guitar is a huge departure from what was generally being played in 1975. The
innovations Joe was doing were hardly noticed as it sounded so easy and right. I
think Joe is using the middle pick-up as the sound is so sharp and biting. Joe layers
a few of the tunes, Windows, Invitation and Without You. The rest are solo. It's hard
to believe this recording is over 30 years old. Joe's interpretations are extraordinary
not to mention a display of technique that's mind boggling. The layered Windows is
a perfect display of what great jazz guitar can aspire to. The recording sound on the
CD has much better fidelity than the original record. Joe throws off his runs and 4th
excursions with such ease that I shake my head and think, How did he do that?The
unusual harmonies, moving lines, and single note passages are truly amazing. Joe's
composition Poem has a real 20th century feel to it. 20th century then meant
something else than now. You can hear Julian Bream play this and love it. Very
compositional. Invitation starts very quietly and introspectively. Joe then goes crazy
playing totally mad. (In a good way). I feel this track shows Joe's complete
dedication to his craft and artistry. India is another Diorio tune with lots of open
strings and a gentle, almost lullaby feel to it, some engaging rhythm and beautiful
expression. The standard, A Time for Love is on its own a great tune and here's Joe
doing a remarkable version. Still using open strings but somehow it doesn't sound
arranged. It feels like Joe is playing everything improvised with a few guide lines.
I'm sure Joe played this tune a million times and felt relaxed to try anything he
heard. Joe's own Call to the Center is a real gem! What in the world is this man
hearing? No restrictions at all. I always thought that certain guitarists like Barney,
Tal, Johnny and some others were not trapped by the conventions of the guitar. They
played music on the guitar and not just the guitar. Joe is another one who always
did that. Without You is the last track with a layered 2nd guitar. It's a lovely ending
to a remarkable set of music.
Throughout this CD you can hear the tradition of jazz guitar plus some very unique
variations. What is most amazing to me is the feeling Joe gets to on this and many
other records. It's a joyous look into the mind of a great artist who probably doesn't
even think about that as he just wants to make music. Succeed he does!
Joe has been a friend of mine for a long time. I was somewhat worried that my
feeling for Joe would make me ineligible to do a review. I don't think that's true
because I loved this record long before I met Joe Diorio. I always felt that this is a
very important record.
This is a must for all who love jazz and guitar. I think Art of Life Records is doing a
wonderful service by releasing these incredible records on CD. I wonder how many
people would try to find these classic records on Spitball as I did. ~ Guitarist Jack
Wilkins - 2006
Joe Diorio-”Solo Guitar” Review
This Jazz artist's style is fluid, reverent and quietly assertive. Foregoing experiments
with electricity, he favors more traditional development of musical ideas and thus his
6-string is not a battlefield so much as a garden. Diorio's music has a mystical
quality that is nevertheless down to earth, like tea leaves from which no one tries to
draw a conclusion. What's most remarkable is that his utterly clean lines grow even
quieter as he speeds up (he never cranks his amp up past mezzo forte). This is a
fine release from a too-little-heard musician. ~ Guitar Player Magazine - December
1975
Joe Diorio-”Solo Guitar” Review
This record documents a love affair between Diorio and his chosen instrument. He is
a very gifted guitarist and here he plays superbly. On “Windows”, “Invitation” and
”Without You” he makes use of multi-tracking and this is done with undoubted taste.
~ Jazz Journal - January 1976
Joe Diorio-”Solo Guitar” Review
A solo album is a rather presumptuous effort, but Diorio manages to pull it off.
Diorio phrases much like a saxophonist. Playing in flashes, referring to a chordal
structure as he builds his solo explorations. There is some over-dubbing here, but
nothing gimmicky, it merely effects a duo setting. ~ Cadence Magazine - January
1976
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