“Take Your Pick · Guitar Duets” is an album by John Pisano and Billy Bean, recorded in February and March 1958 at Decca Studio, Hollywood, California, and originally released on Decca Records (DL 8767). The Jazz Workshop Vinyl reissue as a 180-gram audiophile LP (JW-105) revives this record with remastering that highlights the guitars’ clarity. The lineup features John Pisano (guitar), Billy Bean (guitar), Gene Estes (bass), and Hal Gaylor (drums). The album includes standards like I’ll Never Be the Same and originals by the duo. The music is West Coast jazz with bebop roots, with Pisano and Bean’s guitars crafting a melodic, interwoven dialogue. The Jazz Workshop reissue, limited to 500 copies, is prized for its warm, detailed sound, capturing California’s charm. “Take Your Pick · Guitar Duets” is a graceful record, showcasing the duo’s mastery.
John Pisano (born February 6, 1931) and Billy Bean (December 11, 1933 – February 6, 2012) were American jazz guitarists, masters of West Coast jazz. Pisano, born in Staten Island, New York, began playing guitar in his youth, inspired by Charlie Christian. Bean, a Philadelphia native, also took up guitar, drawing from Tal Farlow. In the 1950s, both musicians settled in Los Angeles, becoming part of the local scene, collaborating with Bud Shank and Chico Hamilton. Their duo stood out for its virtuosic technique and harmonious interplay, creating a unique guitar dialogue. Pisano later worked with Joe Pass, while Bean taught, leaving a mark on jazz.
TRACKLIST
Side One:
1. Take Your Pick (John J. Pisano) 4:00
2. Evry Time We Say Goodbye (Cole Porter; arr. Carson Smith) 3:01
3. Pixie (John J. Pisano) 2:25
4. Pastorale (Fred Katz) 4:09
5. Fat Feet (Billy Bean) 2:50
6. Dingle Bird (Bill Potts) 3:45
Side Two:
1. Billy’s Beanery (Billy Bean) 3:26
2. Pottsville, U.S.A. (Bill Potts) 4:42
3. Half Breed (Bill Potts) 4:04
4. Memento (John J. Pisano) 3:59
5. Motivation (Billy Bean) 3:11
6. Linger Awhile (Rose-Owens; arr. C. Jackson) 2:45
Personnel:
Personnel on Side Two #6:
John Pisano, Billy Bean (guitars), Pete Candoli, Kendall Bright, Melvin Moore, Irving Goodman (trumpets, Si Zentner, Karl DeKarske, Hoyt Bohannon (trombones), Red Callender (tuba), Fred Katz (piano), Hal Gaylor (bass), Gene Estes (drums).
Personnel on Side Two #3 & Side One #6:
John Pisano, Billy Bean (guitars), Paul Horn, Bill Green (fl, reeds), Jules Jacobs (oboe), Justin Gordon (bass clarinet), George Smith, Abe Most (clarinets), Calvin Jackson (piano), Hal Gaylor (bass), Larry Bunker (drums).
Personnel on the remaining tracks:
John Pisano, Billy Bean (guitars), Gene Estes (vibes), Hal Gaylor (bass), Larry Bunker (drums).
All tracks recorded at Decca Studio in Hollywood, California, February & March, 1958
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