Choice Cuts; Charlie Christian (Patreon)

Expanding on the "Album of the Week" posts, I thought now and then it'd be good to do more of an essential listening playlist for a specific artist.. especially good for artists that were around before the birth of the "album" as we know it.

To get us started with this, it only seems right that we show Charlie Christian some love on this Patreon. Certainly one of the biggest influences on my playing a someone I would HIGHLY recommend spending a fair amount of time listening to, and learning from.

Here are what I'd consider to be some of his best recordings (in no particular order)..

* "Swing To Bop".. amazing flow on this one, he cuts loose and plays an extended solo. Read into this "Live at Minton's Playhouse" session to be blow-away by the names in the house band!

https://youtu.be/_W2FZmKs_rI?si=y6EXbXNx30jitkpX

* Rose Room - this was the first C.C solo I learned and still perhaps my favourite.. emotionally, this one connects with me in a very deep way. Nostalgia, swing feel, beautiful note choice and phrasing;

https://youtu.be/x4H7M2YFK0s

* Stardust - another one very close to my heart for many reasons;

https://youtu.be/dQZ5mErglSA

* I've Found a New Baby - killer minor key and dominant ideas littered throughout this one;

https://youtu.be/StIk6pjRt78

* Grand Slam  - the blueprint for early Rockabilly guitar!?;

https://youtu.be/tkEphyJlHvc

* Solo Flight - lyrical, playful, groovin', fearless and relentless all at once;

https://youtu.be/xdDqJRiP-2w

* Honeysuckle Rose - good clean fun.. super tidy picking;

https://youtu.be/QU9_yJ51J70?si=-iJZQeZikkX3n9ZY

*Up on Teddy's Hill - a slower tempo jam on the "Honeysuckle" changes.. also recorded from that same Live at Minton's show; listen to how HARD this swings!.. that feel!

https://youtu.be/hwiAi2fc7u0?si=qq1Gy-QCc4UvyXse

* I Surrender Dear - a beautiful ballad;

https://youtu.be/KEgW1OrrrUY?si=PL4A4_xLLnRfpHzT

* Lady Be Good - killer Lester Young-esque phrasing and vocabulary;

https://youtu.be/-DKuc8KnYFM?si=Gp6IgpKpYIQCW1Qu

* Flying Home - great medium tempo swinger;

https://youtu.be/gn0hDIkvl0Y?si=2BurWJG30Gqz4vcW

* A Smooth One - one oh his simplest but most memorable solos and you gotta love that dissonant minor 2nd interval at the start!;

https://youtu.be/YHv24tm4LNQ?si=2lXfxT-yUYKWkaGK

* As Long as I Live - beautiful, melodic simplicity in his solo;

https://youtu.be/NJ3kIyjEr0k?si=-i2MyGOPYlsurNJj

* Air Mail Special - just awesome;

https://youtu.be/pilXGjb7KdU?si=vU-MNl0lY7tuXuJI

* Gone With What Wind - some great blues soloing on this one;

https://youtu.be/iSLW7fTpNH4?si=72OgSoaGqxibtq0m

* Paging The Devil - check out my lesson on his fantastic blues playing on this one!;

https://youtu.be/pFRZc1Bks9o?si=H9cLe80pgpNg41rL

* Memories of You - gorgeous minor key ideas;

https://youtu.be/3beKIEvbmI0?si=Dy3500XXt_CtYGjP

I could keep going but I genuinely feel that all of the above are essential listening if you want to progress your swing, bop, jazz playing ;)