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Selected MP3s of guitar instrumentals, jazz, big band, and classic easy listening from the original vinyl.

Welcome to Guitars & All That Jazz

Welcome to Guitars & All That Jazz

Guitars & All That Jazz was a radio station that webcast via Live365 for 11 years, ending in June 2011. The playlist consisted of guitar instrumentals, jazz, big band, early rock 'n' roll, lounge music and classic easy listening.

I hope to share some of this music with you via this blog. Most of it will be taken from the original vinyl (LPs and 45s) , cassettes and the occasional commercially unavailable CD.

Here's hoping you'll find something to enjoy. Please note files are available only for a limited time.

I urge you to purchase the digital version of the albums featured, either on CD or via download, wherever possible.

Listen to the Music
There are now two music streams. Click the appropriate player to the right.
1. Guitars & All That Jazz: Five hours of the best in jazz, guitars and other instrumental gems. New songs are added weekly.
2. Tiki Shores: Music to sweep you away to a tropical isle, a South American dance floor or a bossa nova on the beach at Rio. About 4.5 hours of classic exotica music, Latin rhythms and bossa nova.
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Saturday, April 27, 2013

Tony Mottola - Romantic Guitars (box set)


Guitarist Tony Mottola (1918-2004) is best known for his association with producer Enoch Light's Command and Project 3 labels in the 1960s and 70s. Mottola recorded dozens of albums for Light, both under his own name and that of the producer.

He and Al Caiola were the top session guitarists in New York, with Mottola also playing with Doc Severinsen's Tonight Show Orchestra and later in his career recording and touring with Frank Sinatra.

Light was a pioneer in the art of stereo recording and Mottola figured prominently in those groundbreaking sessions. The five-LP box set Romantic Guitars, issued by Longines Symphonette, probably in the early 70s, is a fine collection of Mottola's Command recordings. The recording quality is excellent as well -- very close to that of the original Command albums. Included is the Latin standard Vaya Con Dios, which first appeared on Mottola's 1966 LP Amor Mexico/S.A.

Vaya Con Dios



A number of Tony Mottola's recordings have been available on CD from time to time. Several are still in the active catalogue, although there have been quality complaints about a couple of recent Command reissues. They may have been sourced from vinyl. The best bet is probably a 2002 release, Heart and Soul Guitar, a compilation of Command selections issued by Varese Sarabande. In any case you can peruse what's available at Amazon.

A large selection of Mottola downloads is also available. I suspect the quality varies widely, so listen before buying.

Here, via YouTube, is another selection from the Amor Mexico/S.A. album.


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