Saw Lee Ritenour last night

Hawkeye

My wife and I took in a show last night at the Blues Alley in Washington D.C. It really is in an alley. We walked past it twice before I had to do the unmanly thing and ask for directions :redface: The guy I asked just laughed and pointed about 25 feet away and said "Not from around here are you?"

The venue is a very small and old building. It holds about 135 people at max seating but there were only about 120 people for the this show. Tickets were $43 each, the drinks and food were a bit on the high side for what one got but very good. Our seats were center stage about 15 feet back

The show is called Lee Ritenour and Friends and the show blew us away!! I believe I have all of his Cd's, but he played music I'd never heard him play. He did play a few of his more known works, especially from his new CD 6 String Theory. He played nonstop for 1 hour, 45 minutes. The bassist played for Earth, Wind and Fire with a 7 string bass. Never seen or heard one of these and it really added a new dimension to mid-bass! The drummer was the original drummer from Chakka-Khan and several other big bands from the 70's and 80's. The show was over much to quickly and could have sat through the 10 o'clock show had it not been sold out!!

So which was better? Listening at home or live? Both!! There is something special about a live event. From the feedback to the slightly overdone bass or the slight timing mix-up. All those things make a live event what it is. No chance for a second take. Listening at home gives me the perspective of the way the artist WANTS it to sound. They both sound the same musically for the most part but the home listening has been massaged to a point. I love them both!!

Gordon

thsmith

Kewl, I agree on live performances. Never heard his stuff, I need to look for some and see if it suits me.

Sounds like for the price of admission you and your wife had a great time. That is priceless.

thsmith

Kewl, just sampled 6 string theory on Amazon.

What is your recommendation for my first CD ?

Hawkeye

Well, I'd suggest Lee Ritenour "Collection". It is "kinda" a greatest hits but not really. It is more of a sampler of all the different types of music he plays. It would be a good primer on him.

He has done music from hard rock to classical and everything in between. 6 String Theory has many other artists on it and he only plays on a couple cuts.

Gordon

PS. He also played in a band called Four Play. A funky jazz group that has had many people play in it so you have to look at the players to ensure you get the earlier recordings with him playing

mrbigbluelight

The one and only Direct-To-Disc (vinyl) album I ever owned was by Lee Ritenour.
Very smooooooth, mellow ...... nice.

Oldfatdogs

This is what I like about the forums.I'm listening to music I would have never found without the help of others here.

Hawkeye

Oldfatdogs wrote: »

This is what I like about the forums.I'm listening to music I would have never found without the help of others here.

Your right about that. For awhile, Dead can Dance was talked about in glowing terms. I bought a couple cds but could never get my head wrapped around them. But the price of a couple cds to try something new is insignificant for the most part.

Gordon

Erik Tracy

Hawkeye wrote: »

Well, I'd suggest Lee Ritenour "Collection". It is "kinda" a greatest hits but not really. It is more of a sampler of all the different types of music he plays. It would be a good primer on him.

He has done music from hard rock to classical and everything in between. 6 String Theory has many other artists on it and he only plays on a couple cuts.

Gordon

PS. He also played in a band called Four Play. A funky jazz group that has had many people play in it so you have to look at the players to ensure you get the earlier recordings with him playing

Thanks for sharing - I admire Lee's guitar work - I'll have to look for more of it.

Are you sure though about his compilation called "Collection"? I'm looking at my CD copy and it's Larry Carlton's work.

I do have a CD called Larry and Lee (compilation of Larry Carlton AND Lee Ritenour) - very good mix - very clean - and the guitar work is fantastic! :biggrin:

Hawkeye

Erik Tracy wrote: »

Thanks for sharing - I admire Lee's guitar work - I'll have to look for more of it.

Are you sure though about his compilation called "Collection"? I'm looking at my CD copy and it's Larry Carlton's work.

I do have a CD called Larry and Lee (compilation of Larry Carlton AND Lee Ritenour) - very good mix - very clean - and the guitar work is fantastic! :biggrin:

That's interesting Erik. Larry Carlton is not mentioned anywhere on my cd. Mine has it produced by Lee and the executive producer is Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen. Produced in 1991. Plain white cover with a pair of guitar bodies. Kinda dated for sure but still a nice piece. If you like classical guitar, try Lee and Dave Grusin on Amparo. Absolutely a fabulous recording done in 2008.

Gordon

Fongolio

I've got 5 Rit LP's on vinyl. I love his music. At times very mellow but alway atmospheric. I'd love to see him live, especially in a small venue like that. What a treat!!

Erik Tracy

Hawkeye wrote: »

That's interesting Erik. Larry Carlton is not mentioned anywhere on my cd. Mine has it produced by Lee and the executive producer is Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen. Produced in 1991. Plain white cover with a pair of guitar bodies. Kinda dated for sure but still a nice piece. If you like classical guitar, try Lee and Dave Grusin on Amparo. Absolutely a fabulous recording done in 2008.

Gordon

Could be they both have albums by the same name.

This is "Collection" CD I have of Larry Carlton:


But I'll look for the one with Lee as well...heck - both are great guitarists in my book.

Again - thanks for sharing!

Hawkeye

Fongolio wrote: »

I've got 5 Rit LP's on vinyl. I love his music. At times very mellow but alway atmospheric. I'd love to see him live, especially in a small venue like that. What a treat!!

It was a treat indeed! I've been to massive concerts and small, but this was beyond imagination. When he came off the stage, he shook my hand and said thanks for coming. He offered everyone there the opportunity to stop by and chat, get an autograph on his cd if they wanted to. A class act in my book. I don't have any vinyl by him but I may have to start looking since I'm about to jump into the deep end of the vinyl religion!!

Gordon

Hawkeye

Erik Tracy wrote: »

Could be they both have albums by the same name.

This is "Collection" CD I have of Larry Carlton:


But I'll look for the one with Lee as well...heck - both are great guitarists in my book.

Again - thanks for sharing!

Almost a duplicate of Lee's!! I'll have to get and compare them.

Gordon

Gadabout

I have been a fan of Lee's since I heard Captain Fingers Which I bought on vinyl in 1977.



Lee was the second jazz artist I started accumulating. (The first was John Klemmer)
Lee being mostly produced by the GRP label was my first insight into what a good label could do for music.

I think I have most of his Cd's including his stuff with Larry Carlton and Four Play. I guess if I had to pick a favorite it would be Harlequin. It's not for everybody as the singer has a great voice but it is Portuguese, but that album really grew on me.



If your looking for Live performance in the Studio. Try On the On The Line. It is a studio album but done Live style, one take and that was what was put down.



In fact buying Lee back in '77 might have been the start of me having more guitar players in my collection than anything.

I know what is being pulled out for listening too tomorrow night.

Scott

Fongolio

Oops, I missed one that I have for a total of 6 on vinyl.
Rit
Rit II
The Captain's Journey
On The Line
Portrait
Banded Together

I really honestly don't like banded together. It feels fake and forced and not at all like some of his other stuff.

George Grand

Start with the first album, "First Course".