- Audio CD (1 July 2003)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Savoy Jazz
- ASIN: B00009UVXY
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 482,542 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
From Amazon.com
Even as a teenager, Pat Martino was already a fixture on the chitlin circuit and the Harlem jazz scene, where his rhythmic intensity, harmonic sophistication and horn-like melodic elisions sent all the young jazz guitarists scurrying back to the woodshed. Deeply influenced by the studied classicism of Johnny Smith and the bluesy rhythmic drive of Wes Montgomery, Martino defined his own musical turf on a series of albums for the Prestige and Muse labels (most tellingly on the eastern-flavored Baiyina [The Clear Evidence] and the hard swinging Live). But Footprints (originally issued as The Visit) may be the best of Martino's studio recordings, in part due to its dark, sensual recorded sound and the sublime rhythmic empathy of Richard Davis and Billy Higgins. On the title tune and Montgomery's "Road Song," Martino dances through the changes with the commanding intensity of horn giants such as Coltrane or Clifford Brown. Yet the standout tracks are a pair of deeply moving ballads ("What Are You Doing with the Rest of Your Life" and "How Insensitive"), where Martino evokes Montgomery's spirit by incorporating the old master's octave stylings into understated solos of incredible grace and lyric restraint. --Chip Stern
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Footprints may well be Pat Martino's best moment on record. Each tune is compelling, intelligent and worthy of repeated listens. On all Martino albums you can marvel at his virtuosity, but what makes this one special is the atmosphere against which it is set. There is a sense on the faster tunes of relentless momentum as Martino sets his streams of semiquavers against the pulsating bass of Richard Davis and the insightful drum work of Billy Higgins. The contrast between Pat Martino's almost clinical execution and the droning qualities of Davis's bass adds to the appeal of this record, and at times imparts a dark intensity.
Mention should be made of the contribution of Bobby Rose on second guitar. In the same way that John Pisano offered just the right amount of harmonic support on Joe Pass's great 'For Django' record, Rose is ever present but never intrusive.
Picking highlights from such a well rounded album is somewhat futile, but particularly enjoyable are Martino's version of 'Road Song', an infectious Wes Montgomery tune, a superb version of 'How Insensitive' and the whisper-quiet ballad 'What Are You Doing The rest Of Your Life?'
Whatever you are doing the rest of your life, make sure you give this record a listen.
Mention should be made of the contribution of Bobby Rose on second guitar. In the same way that John Pisano offered just the right amount of harmonic support on Joe Pass's great 'For Django' record, Rose is ever present but never intrusive.
Picking highlights from such a well rounded album is somewhat futile, but particularly enjoyable are Martino's version of 'Road Song', an infectious Wes Montgomery tune, a superb version of 'How Insensitive' and the whisper-quiet ballad 'What Are You Doing The rest Of Your Life?'
Whatever you are doing the rest of your life, make sure you give this record a listen.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
tasty choices
17 Dec 1999
Format:Audio CD
The release of this vintage album of the late 70's to CD shows why Pat Martino is to be revered as one of the greats of jazz guitar. Footprints has everything - classic ballads, Brazillian treats, uptempo tour de forces - all with the brilliant musicianship of Martino. This seminal guitarist, oft forgotten has been playing clubs again after a long U.S. hiatus. Footprints will introduce any jazz guitar fan to the type of treat rarely found in today's jazz recordings. Richard Davis on bass and Billy Higgins on drums can't be beat- end of story - and the arrangements here are so sweet you will find yourself playing this disc time and again. Savor these tunes!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
This is It
11 Aug 2001
Format:Audio CD
Far and away Pat Martino's greatest recording and one of the most exhilarating jazz recordings ever. Rarely will you hear the improvised line played so fast while still retaining precise grace and lyricism. Reminiscent not so much of Coltrane's "sheets of sound", but something more on the line of cascading pearls. Both uptempo numbers and the elegant ballad "What Are You Doing For the Rest of Your Life" are built up layer by layer with Pat's gorgeous guitar tone, possibly enhanced by his use of extra heavy gauge strings. By the time you reach the final cut, "Alone Together" you'll be, as a guitar player, on your knees muttering "Merciful God in Heaven, how does one get there?". Never has Pat been recorded with such a sympathetic rhythm section - the multi-directional but sensitive drumming of Billy Higgins, the power and finesse of Richard Davis on bass, and most of all the exquisite, subtle chord colorings by Bobby Rose on rhythm guitar.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Jazz for the Desert Island
17 Jun 2006
Format:Audio CD
Everyone has a few, a very few, "cosmic" recordings that changed the way they view music and the world. Pat Martino's "The Visit" (here renamed "Footprints", probably for better recognition) is such a recording for me. For one, the core of this recording is the interplay of two guitars. Virtuosos like McLaughlin and Martino sound especially good when their fire is allowed to blend with another guitar. From the Latin cooker "The Visit" to the world-class bopper "Road Song" we get a hot update on Wes with a hint of the outside, thanks to bassist Richard Davis. In the late sixites we were used to hearing the spooky and adventurous sounds of this man (a favorite of mine is Coltrane's "Nature Boy" where Davis and Garrison fill the room with bass). Most impressive are the fragile and deeply pensive ballads, especially "What are you Doing the Rest of Your Life?" Anyone who thinks Martino is just a machine-gunner with no lyricism in him MUST check out this record. This is beyond stars, it is a milestone.
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