2 Guitars

Recorded for the Prestige label in March 1957, '2 Guitars' serves as a fascinating stylistic intersection between two of the era's most influential guitarists. While Kenny Burrell would go on to define the soulful, blues-inflected sound of Blue Note Records, and Jimmy Raney was already established as a pillar of the cool jazz movement through his work with Stan Getz, this collaboration finds them meeting on the common ground of bop. The session is bolstered by a stellar rhythm section featuring pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Elvin Jones, though the focus remains squarely on the interlocking guitars. The tracklist is a mix of originals and standards, with the nearly 13-minute 'This Way' allowing for extensive, unhurried improvisation. Critics generally view the album as a solid, if not revolutionary, example of the genre, praising the technical proficiency and the clear, distinct tonal personalities of the two leads. It remains a staple for jazz guitar students and collectors of the 1950s Prestige catalog.