It is still relatively rare for a son to follow his father on an identical instrument and reach an equal level of expertise, but guitarist
Doug Raney
(son of the late
Jimmy Raney
) is one of the few. This accomplished bopper leads a trio date with bassist
Jay Anderson
and drummer
Billy Hart
, exploring standards of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. His intense up-tempo reworking of
Cole Porter
's
"What Is This Thing Called Love?"
starts the date with a flourish.
Raney
is at his most lyrical during the foot-tapping rendition of the ballad
"Tenderly."
The leader's elaborate yet subtle fills in
"You Go to My Head"
contrast with his potent interpretation of
Charlie Parker
"Barbados."
Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden