Jack Wilkins

Here’s a disc by a guitarist that shows how a guitar is supposed to be played. Not only does Wilkins (who’s played with Turrentine, Torme, Bennett and Mingus’ Epitaph) have incredible chops, but he uses them to haute cuisine taste. With a first rate team of Jon Cowherd/p, Steve LaSpina/b and Mark Ferber/d, Wilkins serves a gourmet meal with a wide palate of styles most successfully.
First, you’ve got to appreciate any guy who swings “Tico Tico” harder than Sonny Rollins’ “Airgin.” That by itself shows Wilkins likes to have some fun with the tunes. The selection of material is a real buffet; from modern stuff like James Taylor (“Blossom”) to pop/Broadway (“Arthur’s Theme”) to standards (“These Foolish Things”) and even a classical gem (“Fur Elise”) show the broad palate of tastes on this feast of a disc. He can deliver delicate appetizing ballads like the Buffy Saint-Marie title piece, or serve up meat and potato cookers like “Show Me” which shakes like a pressure cooker. Cowherd gets some good solo time in as well, and the whole band serves up a blue plate special on Johnny Smith’s “Walk Don’t Run.” One of the best guitar discs out in awhile, and an inspiration for all 6 stringed students.