Frettin Fingers: Lightning Guitar of Jimmy Bryant

Usually, when I think of an "original", the originality itself is the issue, while the pure chops have since been surpassed by some youngblood hot-shot. In Jimmy Bryant's case,(and I truly believe that James Burton, Albert Lee, and the Hellecasters would agree), the world's -first- Telecaster player is -still- the -hottest-.

I first heard Jimmy Bryant on satellite radio doing a song called "Little Rock Getaway." I knew if there was any other song on this set half as impressive as that one, then the set was worth the price. In fact, there are several. The speed of his licks and the clean sound he gets combines to inspire awe in the listener. The first CD in the set is obviously a group of older recordings -- less polished and less produced -- which may be a good thing. Not that the first CD isn't amazing in its delivery of scorching hot guitar licks, but by the third CD, Bryant has simply moved to another plane. This is a style of picking that reminds me of Roy Clark -- only much faster, cleaner, and with a more serious nature... but the same kind of tone. You'll definitely be impressed with Bryant's delivery. As a guitarist, I stand in complete reverence of the late Mr. Bryant. "Awe Inspiring" is too cliche for this stuff -- it's just mind-boggling lightning strapped down to...Read more

This set is a great introduction to Jimmy Bryant. It covers most of his work with Speedy West and the majority of his later singles of the 60's. My title for this review pretty much says it all. It's bebop in a cowboy hat. If you are a musician and don't know who Django Reinhardt is, listen to him; then listen to Bryant; then hit the woodshed. Good Luck.