Brass and Guitar Find Their Balance
His guitar weaves successfully through an unfamiliar setting of brass and winds, creating genuine balance.
Blues - The Common Ground catches Kenny Burrell in an unusual spot. Recorded in 1967 and 1968, the album strips away his customary trio or small-group setting and surrounds his guitar with a carefully arranged horn section. It's a deliberate detour from what listeners expected of him by that point in his career. The move could have felt awkward or forced, but Burrell's approach was confident enough to make it work.
What's interesting is how he navigates the crowded arrangement. Rather than compete with the horns, his guitar finds space between them, threading through the ensemble with patience. The album doesn't try to prove anything grandiose. It's straightforward about what it is: a guitarist testing himself in a context where he can't simply lead the session. That restraint turns out to be its strength. The brass doesn't overwhelm the guitar work; instead, Burrell uses the density of the arrangement to create something balanced and listenable.
The Common Ground isn't a definitive statement of Burrell's artistry, but it reveals a musician willing to step outside his usual setting. By placing his understated guitar within richer arrangements, he created one of the more distinctive and overlooked albums in his catalog.
Who's playing
Ron Carterbass
Herbie Hancockpiano
Kenny Burrellguitar
Bernie Glowtrumpet
Jimmy Owenstrumpet
Snooky Youngtrumpet
Thad Jonestrumpet
Jimmy Nottinghamtrumpet
Ernie Royaltrumpet
Wayne Andretrombone
Jimmy Clevelandtrombone
Paul Faulisetrombone
Bill Watroustrombone
Urbie Greentrombone
Tony Studdtrombone
Donald McDonalddrums
Donald MacDonalddrums
Grady Tatedrums
Johnny Pachecopercussion
Don Butterfieldtuba
Jerome Richardsonreeds
Harvey Phillipstuba
Where next?
More by Kenny Burrell
Introducing Kenny Burrell 1956
Midnight Blue 1963
Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane 1963
♫
Jazzmen: Detroit 1956
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
