Sounds of Synanon

Sounds of Synanon
Live album by
ReleasedJuly 1, 1962 (1962-07-01)
StudioPacific Jazz Studios, Hollywood
GenreJazz
Length42:11
LabelPacific Jazz
ProducerRichard Bock
Joe Pass chronology
Sounds of Synanon
(1962)
Catch Me!
(1963)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
DownBeat[1]
Allmusic[2]

Sounds of Synanon is the debut album by jazz guitarist Joe Pass.

Background and recording

The album was recorded with patients at the Synanon Drug Center, where Pass was being treated for addiction to heroin.[2] Pass did not own his own guitar at the time of the album's recording, and recorded using a borrowed electric solid-body guitar.[3]

Release

The album was reissued in 2022, accompanied by seven bonus tracks.[4]

Reception

Jazz critic Leonard Feather reviewed the album for the July 5, 1962 issue of DownBeat magazine and said,[5] "This album does more than merely present a group of good musicians, it unveils a star. In Joe Pass, Synanon and Pacific Jazz have discovered a major jazz talent..."[1]

Robert Taylor of AllMusic highlighted the tunes "Projections" and "Hang Tough" as some of the tightest and "cleanest" playing of Pass's entire career. Taylor concluded his retrospective review of the album by stating, "his accompanists prove to be adequate, but hardly approach the genius of Pass. A landmark recording in the history of jazz guitar."[6]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."C.E.D."Joe Pass, Arnold Ross3:14
2."Aaron's Song"Dave Allen4:31
3."Stay Loose"Arnold Ross4:22
4."Projections"Greg Dykes5:10
5."Hang Tough"Pass6:30
6."Self-Image"Dave Allen9:06
7."Last Call for Coffee"Arnold Ross4:43
8."Blues" 4:36

Personnel

References

  1. ^ a b "Sounds of Synanon". DownBeat. Elmhurst, Illinois. 5 July 1962.
  2. ^ a b c Taylor, Robert. "Sounds of Synanon". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  3. ^ Taylor, Robert. "Sounds of Synanon Review by Robert Taylor". Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  4. ^ White, John (2022-05-30). "Joe Pass: Sounds Of Synanon". Jazz Journal. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  5. ^ Reney, Tom (13 January 2016). "Joe Pass". digital.nepr.net. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  6. ^ Sounds of Synanon - Joe Pass | Album | AllMusic, retrieved 2024-10-06