Blues Sonata Explained

Blues Sonata
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Charlie Byrd
Cover:	Blues Sonata.jpg
Released:	1963
Recorded:	October 23 & 24, 1961 New York City
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	40:35
Label:	Offbeat OLP 3009 Riverside RLP 453
Producer:	Bil Grauer
Chronology:	Charlie Byrd
Prev Title:	Charlie Byrd at the Village Vanguard
Prev Year:	1961
Next Title:	Jazz Samba
Next Year:	1962

Blues Sonata is an album by American jazz guitarist Charlie Byrd featuring tracks recorded in 1961 and released on the Riverside label in 1963.^[1] The album was first released on the Washington Records Offbeat imprint but only received limited distribution prior to Byrd signing with Riverside.^[2]

Reception

Allmusic awarded the album 3 stars stating "this is really two albums in one sleeve, showcasing two rather different formats for this highly original guitarist to pursue".^[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Charlie Byrd except as indicated

1. "The Blues Sonata: Polonaise for Pour Pietro" - 7:01
2. "The Blues Sonata: Ballad in B Minor" - 5:01
3. "The Blues Sonata: Scherzo for an Old Shoe" - 9:08
4. "Alexander's Ragtime Band" (Irving Berlin) - 5:26
5. "Jordu" (Duke Jordan) - 4:37
6. "That Ole Devil Called Love" (Doris Fisher, Allan Roberts) - 4:52
7. "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" (James F. Hanley) - 4:30

Personnel

• Charlie Byrd - guitar
• Barry Harris - piano (tracks 4-7)
  • Keter Betts - bass Buddy Deppenschmidt - drums

Notes and References

1. http://www.jazzdisco.org/riverside-records/catalog-400-series/#rlp-453 Riverside Records discography
2. http://www.jazzdisco.org/riverside-records/washington-records-catalog-offbeat-3000-4000-4900-5700-series/#olp-3009 Washington Records discography
3. Ginell, R. S. Allmusic Review accessed October 31, 2012