Everybody Digs Jimmy

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Pat Metheny:
I have to tell you how important your dad’s playing was for me. There were really only a handful of guys who really got me like that – really just Wes, Jim Hall, Kenny Burrell and later Billy Bean – but when I heard your dad on those Stan Getz records, it was so far beyond what almost anyone had been doing around him. he was such an incredibly beautiful player. i never had the chance to meet him, and that is something i really regret.
source: personal correspondence
George Benson:
Jimmy Raney is a legend amongst traditional jazz guitarists. His contribution to the guitar is one that is very notable and it is a must for guitar aficionados
source: personal correspondence
Wes Montgomery:
Now, Jimmy Raney is just the opposite of Tal Farlow. It seems like they have the same ideas, the same changes, the same type runs, the same kind of feeling, but Jimmy Raney is so smooth he does it without a mistake, a real soft touch, it’s the touch he’s got.
source: Ralph J. Gleason interview, G. Player Magazine, ’73
Alan Holdsworth:
I was extremely fond of Jimmy Raney. Of course there was Joe Pass, Tal Farlow and Barney Kessel. My dad bought lots of records to expose me to all this great music. Joe Pass’ album Catch Me was mind boggling. But there was something about Jimmy Raney’s sound that I loved. My favorite was a recording called Jimmy Raney In Three Attitudes which I lost during my move from England. I’m still trying to find the recording. He played a tune called “So In Love” and his solo is absolutely amazing.
source: Steve Adelson website
Barney Kessel:
Jimmy Raney gave a subtle euphemism to the guitar, a certain harmonic orientation, a certain delicatesse. He represented certain deviation from Charlie Christian, and bring great continuity to his playing. He’s a master of the polytonal melodic approach. He’s highly inventive, personal and slightly introspective. It’s a kind fof quiet contemplation, as though Raney were writing a note to an intimate friend through his guitaring. There is a quality of wistfulness and melancholy about him, and he’s first and last a musician.
source: The History of the Guitar in Jazz

John Scofield & Pat Metheny:
Jon ….Thought i’d share this with you….got an email from Pat Metheny ….hadn’t spoken in a couple years ….a nice hello what’s up email…he included this….”ps — like everyone else, i am mixed about the you-tube-ization of everything — especially anything that i am actually in…(!)but…everything now and then you hear/see something that is incredible….you may have seen this before but i just listened to it about 4 times in row…wow, what a bad dude he was…”
It’s a link to your Dad’s Billies Bounce
He’s still knockin’ us out!!
JScofield
source: personal correspondence
Actress, Allison Janney
Allison’s father is a real estate developer but in his heart he’s a jazz pianist and guitarist and his fav is Jimmy Raney. She talks with Marc Maron on his popular podcast, WTF about her background, her father and setting up his SONOS with a Jimmy Raney recording. It starts about 22 minutes in. Click the source below to listen to it
source: Marc Maron Podcast, Episode 989

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