Alright, enough messin' around, time to post something that I consider special. As I have mentioned in several other posts, I am particularly drawn to guitar based music, especially in jazz where the possibilities and range of techniques and attitude can be so wide. I have lots of jazz guitar albums including everything from the classic easy listening side like Al Caiola, Billy Strange and Tony Mottola, to the more challenging sounds of Sonny Sharrock, Derek Bailey and Joe Morris. I really love it all, and right near the top of my favorite albums list is a relatively obscure recording by a fairly unsung jazz guitar hero named Buddy Fite. I stumbled upon this discovery in an 8-track tape bargain bin back in the 70's and his technique and sound have mesmerized me ever since. This album particularly impresses me but Buddy has several others that I will hopefully post later. Now I am sure that some folks will check this out and immediately think Al Caiola and company (not that that's such a bad thing), elevator jazz complete with strings and other dressings. But if you give this a full listen and don't get a smile from the great touch that Buddy displays, the unique feel that comes out of this mix of jazz classics and up tempo romps, then I suggest you probably need a few more years for your ears to mature. This is really sweet stuff, and unique in many ways despite some of the apparent trappings. Unfortunately the album does not list any credits although there isn't anything else to really pay much attention to other than this great lead guitar work. The supporting cast does a fine job of providing very appropriate backdrops to Buddy's work, but this is clearly all about Mr. Fite. I actually transferred this album from that original 8-track to my computer several years ago but I was happy to finally get the vinyl thanks to eBay and here is your chance to see if you think I'm crazy or if this really is (was) a special player and a great recording that was sadly never dedicated to CD. But I warn you, if you agree with me or you don't, you just might have a fite on your hands...enjoy at 320kbps.
Buddy Fite - Changes - 1970
Cyclone Stereo CY4110
Evil Ways
Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
Wave
Finger Pickin' Good
I Can't Get Started With You
Have You Met Miss Jones
Changes
(Black Orpheus) A Day in the Life of a Fool
Moonlight In Vermont
Cry Me A River
El Jefe (The Chief)
16 comments:
Buddy Fite is a new name for me, thanks for the education,
Glad you're interested, John. It's always rewarding to promote some of the many under-recognized artists like Buddy. I hope you enjoy the tracks, I really think they are all good and a few of them are really special.
I couldn't agree more with you with regards to Buddy Fite! I wish he were more widely known..We do share a common interest, that is guitar music! I love all kinds of guitar music, but my number 1 would have to be jazz guitarists playing the blues :) Thanks for all this wonderful work!
My pleasure jazzy. I'm glad you hear what I hear...here. It would seem a collection of Fite's few "best known" works CD should be in order, at least. Thankfully the vinyl lives on. I will post the other LP's eventually but this one is my first Fite and probably still my favorite.
Put up a link to a post of mine, where I used Fite's Evil Ways...
Thought you should know [:-)
peace, E-mile
http://e-milesaysongsdothematter.blogspot.com/2009/02/229-another-twice-as-nice.html
PS Ernie Wilkins does a great version too...
Those twice as nice babes made it impossible to avoid the download so I will be listening to your intriguing compilation very soon and am thrilled to see Buddy Fite make your program! Thanks for the notice and the interest E-mile!
Wow! I was studying Tuck Andress' Fingerstyle Mastery when he mentioned Buddy Fite. I love and collect solo jazz guitar but I've never heard of him. So I search and FIND THIS! Thanks!
I'm so glad to know you have discovered Buddy's greatness. Not only does his music impress with skill, but it is such a unique blend of open jazz interpretation and pure pop, somewhat in the tradition of another real favorite of mine, Howard Roberts. But Buddy is unlike any other. I just wish he had more recordings to savor. Thanks for your comment Rje.
...I just can't fite it any longer. Gotta have this. Thank you for this and all of the other BF albums you've posted Arkiver!
Hey, finally somebody acknowledged my grade school puns! Thanks again KK. Glad to have you visit the blog and hope you'll be back for more puns and music.
I have to admit that Buddy Fite's music has been completely unknown to me until I found your great blog and postings. I've been listening to Kenny Burrell, Grant Green and all them great blueslickin' maestros since the early 80's and I was totally surprised that such a talent as Buddy Fite is, isn't largerly known among guitar enthusiaistics. What a great player he is! Thank you so much. (Sorry 'bout my english)
Anon - I'm very happy to see someone else catch on to Buddy's unique sound and skills. I still have one more Buddy album left to post which I will get to before too long. Thanks for the good word.
Always good to find out about a new guitarist. His tone is a bit on the thin, trebly side for my taste, but his lines are growing on me as I listen to "Changes"
File renewed!
This album, right here, is my favorite memory of my own father. He loved Buddy and he loved this album.
I still can't listen to "Day in the Life of a Fool" without crying.
Buddy surely had a distinct feel that really hits home at times like that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us Rez.
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