Jack Grassel Solo Burner Review

Exceptional early solo outing for Jack Grassel on fine form, showing us the heights of his funky acoustic playing with fluid basslines, chunky chords and lilting, cascading solos. A pure, clear expressive style that shone like a pearly pinnacle perhaps not regained until nearly a decade later. Here he can be heard entirely covering standards (Nardis, Giant Steps, All Blues, Stella By Starlight, Lonely Woman, Star Eyes, Donna Lee, Dolphin Dance, A Night In Tunisia and Moonlight In Vermont). Safe ground perhaps, but few can boast such contrapuntal sensitivity and lyrical harmony that it hurts. More Joe Pass / Martin Taylor than Lenny Breau / Ren Thomas; an enormous ability unsurprisingly recognised by the late, great Tal Farlow.