Twelfth Plectrum Podcast - The smooth guitar of Lee Ritenour

Check out the new Lee Ritenour CD, Smoke 'n' Mirrors.
Born in the USA (born January 11,1952) as Lee Mack Ritenour. He is also affectionately called "Captain Fingers" due to his mastery of the guitar he plays. For me this guitarist is a genius that sometimes does really silly career moves! I mean with his talent why delve into pop or electronic music?!! In fact Lee has frequently been criticised by his fans for these moves he sometimes makes. I don't believe it is because in pop one makes more money because if I had to ask any pop fan who Lee Ritenour is I believe nobody would know! But any jazz enthusiast knows who Lee Ritenour is. Anyway in my podcasts I selected some really good tracks for you and did not even dare include any that sounded a bit pop.

Podcast description

TRACK 1. Tush - From the album On the Line. This is a typical smooth Lee Ritenour tune taken from the very first Ritenour album (CD) I ever had. Lee has some very good musicians helping him too such as Dave Grusin on keyboards and Anthony Jackson on bass among others.

TRACK 2. Sun Song - From the album Captain Fingers. This is a ballad like soft tune in which Lee Ritenour plays acoustic guitar.

TRACK 3. Silent Message - From the album Harlequin. This album consists of a number of Brazil inspired songs and on some of them in fact one can even hear the Brazilian singer Ivan Lins . I chose this one because it is one of the instrumental tracks (no singing) and because it is the best track on the CD (in my opinion anyway).

TRACK 4. L.A. Underground - From the album Larry and Lee. This is a collaboration with the famous Larry Carlton, and one that really succeded as this album is considered one of Lee's best ever. Lee's guitar sound on this track reminds me of the typical sound of George Benson. It's a very good upbeat tune - easy to listen to as with all the other tracks.

Happy listening.




Check out this video of Lee Ritenour in action:

PLECTRUM

The new Lee Ritenour CD - Smoke 'n' Mirrors.True to its intriguing and provocative title, Lee Ritenour's latest CD Smoke N' Mirrors takes listeners on a magical, multi-faceted global journey unlike any other in the legendary guitarist's three decade, nearly 40 album career. Inspired by his very first trip to South Africa in 2005, where he performed five hugely successful concerts at festivals in Johannesburg and Capetown, with Smoke N' Mirrors, Ritenour takes an expansive, polyrhythmic approach, working with musicians from South Africa, Cameroon-West Africa, Brazil, Columbia, Peru and India.

Also joining him on this recording is an exciting mix of old friends who happen to be some of America's top jazz performers. Among those featured are pianists Dave Grusin and Patrice Rushen; drummer Vinnie Colaiuta; along with bassists John Patitucci, Brian Bromberg, Abraham Laboriel and Richard Bona. There are eight percussionists on the record including Sheila E, Alex Acuna and Paulinho Da Costa and on tablas is Satnam Ramgotra from India. Ever the innovator, Ritenour employs a total of 12 guitars, his most ever, to achieve what can only be described as sonic perfection. These include the Gibson Lee Ritenour Model and a wide variety of baritone, steel and high string guitars.

Smoke N' Mirrors also marks the American recording debut of South African singing sensation Zamajobe on three songs as well as the composing and recording debut of Ritenour's thirteen- year-old son Wesley, a highly talented drummer. Wes adds brushes to Zamajobe's original song, the exotic call and response anthem "Memeza," and also composed the graceful melody of the soulful and atmospheric "Stone Cool."

Track listing:

Smoke ‘n Mirrors: Upbeat and percussive, but how could it not be with the following rhythm section: Rit – guitar, Melvin Davis - six string electric bass, Richard Bona – bass fills, Vinnie Colaiuta – drums, Alex Acuna – percussion, Shelia E - percussion.

Capetown: Rit – Guitar, Richard bona – Electric Bass, Vinnie Colaiuta – drums, Alex Acuna – percussion.

Southwest Passage: This is a Dave Grusin composition. It features Rit on guitar, Dave on piano, John Patitucci on acoustic bass, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Alex Acuna and Paulinho DaCosta on percussion. Beautiful composition!

Waters Edge: This one has an African folk tinge to it. Based on a seemingly simple melody, it’s catchy and makes you want to break out into a dance: Rit – guitar, Richard Bona – electric bass, Vinnie Colaiuta – drums, Alex Acuna – percussion.

Blue Days: Switching continents and countries we are literally guided across the equator into this Brazilian tune, written and arranged by Daniel Jobim, grandson of Antonio Carlos. A very romantic duet sung in Portuguese by Daniel and Joyce. This is my favourite track maybe because I am such a big fan of Antonio Carlos Jobim: Daniel Jobim – vocals and keyboards, Joyce – vocals, Rit – guitar, Dave Grusin – acoustic piano, John Patitucci - acoustic bass, Danilo Caymmi – flutes, Paulinho Da Costa – percussion, Alex Acuna – Drums.

Spellbinder: This is a Gabor Szabo composition, Arranged by Lee, it features Lee on guitar, Brian Bromberg on acoustic bass, Vinnie Colaiuta – drums, Alex Acuna – percussion, Satnam Ramgotra – tablas. Fans of percussion may want to stand in the sweet spot between your speakers, turn the volume way up and feel this one! Lee spends some time weaving in and out of this groove, then steps back for a while to savor it himself.

Memeza: A short interlude by Zamajobe and Kanesha Kamwendo. Rit – guitars, Zamajobe – vocals, Erik Pilani Paliani – acoustic and electric guitars, Wesley Ritenour (yes, the little kid last seen on the cover of Lee’s “This Is Love”) – drums, Tiale Makhene – percussion, Alberto Lopez – wood percussion.

Povo: Lee brings us back to the U.S. momentarily with his bluesy arrangement of this Freddie Hubbard composition. Featured here are beautiful solos by Patrice Rushen on the Fender Rhodes piano, and Sheila E on percussion, Melvin Davis – electric bass, Oscar Seaton – drums.

Lovely Day: Next up is a fresh and contemporary take on this popular Bill Withers song. Most of you will find it familiar, if I am not mistaken it was also recorded by Simply Red. Zamajobe - vocals, Lee – guitar, Dave Grusin – acoustic piano, Vinnie Colaiuta – drums, Melvin Davis – six string bass, Erik Pilani Paliani – rhythm guitar. Zamajobe’s beautiful voice, the use of chants and percussion provide a lush, almost spiritual African flavor to this classic.

Township: Written and arranged by Lee. Rit – guitar, Richard Bona – electric bass, Steve Tavaglione – soprano sax and alto flute. Vinnie Colaiuta – drums, Alex Acuna – percussion, Satnam Ramgotra – tables. It’s very nice hearing Steve on another Rit project!

Forget Me Nots: Arranged by Lee and Patrice Rushen, this is a Patrice classic. Lee – guitars, Zamajobe – vocals, Patrice Rushen – Fender Rhodes, organ solo, Erik Pilani Paliani – rhythm guitar, Melvin Davis – electric bass, Oscar Seaton – drums, Shelia E – percussion. What a great vocalist this Zamajobe is! Excellent arrangement too!

Stone Cool: Written and arranged by Lee and Wesley Ritenour. Lee – acoustic guitar, Patrice Rushen – Fender Rhodes, Alex Acuna – drums, Abraham Laboriel – electric bass, Mea Noite – percussion.

Motherland: The deep groove of this track is about as relentless as you’ll find. While you have vintage Lee on guitar, he shows he has a little Ry Cooder in him: Rit – baritone acoustic and electric guitar, Melvin Davis - electric bass, Oscar Seaton – drums, Shelia E – percussion.

4½ Storm: Lest you try to take a break following Motherland, Lee closes up with the fusiony 4 ½ Storm. Written and arranged by Lee. Lee - acoustic and electric guitars, Richard Bona – electric bass, Vinnie Colaiuta – drums, Alex Acuna – congas, Shelia E – Korg wave drum and sound effects. The song fades out with Alex Acuna on congas.

Lee Ritenour plays these guitars on this album:
*1949 Gibson LS
*1960 Gibson 335
*Gibson Lee Ritenour Model
*Yamaha Silent Guitar
*Yamaha 1974 Classic Custom Guitar
*Yamaha Custom Baritone Guitar
*Yamaha Acoustic Steel String Guitar
*Baby Taylor High String Guitar
*Brian Moore Electric/Synthesizer Guitar
*Roger Sadowsky Acoustic Electric Guitar
*Richard Glick Baritone Acoustic #B-252 Model

Click HERE for the guitar score of the title track Smoke 'n' Mirrors