H. R. Is A Dirty Guitar Player - Howard Roberts

 

One Note Samba

H. R. Is A Dirty Guitar Player

The Howard Roberts Quartet

Produced by Jack Marshall

Photo by George Jerman

Recorded June 3, 4, 5, and July 16, 1963 in Capitol Records Studio A

Recording Engineers: Joe Polito and John Kraus

Capitol Records ST 1961

From the back cover: To be a bit more serious (but not much more), I first met Howard Roberts about ten years ago when he was just a skinny kid from Phoenix, Arizona. Now he's just a skinny kid from North Hollywood, California, but he has blossomed into one of the really great guitarists of our time.

He has fantastic technique on the guitar and a fine harmonic sense. But most important, he plays a swinging, dirty type of "down home" jazz – sort of the Segovia of Funk!

Not content to settle down in the Hollywood Studios in a kind of prosperous obscurity, just making payments on a Chevy convertible, raising kids, and adding chlorine to the pool, Howard has kept very active in the jazz field, playing concerts, recording and is currently planning a European tour.

As for the other members of the Quartet, we have the wonderful Earl Palmer on drums, the great young bassist Chuck Berghoffer, and a new and exciting discovery of Howard's, Burkley Kendrix on organ. I agree with the youngster who is defacing the fence on the cover: H. R. is indeed a dirty guitar player. But I would also add that Howard Roberts is the greatest! – Jack Marshall

From Billboard - September 21, 1963: Guitarist Howard Roberts turns in his most commercial outing to date. Roberts is backed by some fine organ work from Burkley Kendrix and tight support from drummer Earl Palmer and bassist Chuck Berghoffer. "Watermelon Man," "Deep Fry," "One O'Clock Jump" and "Dirty Bossa Nova" are tops.

Watermelon Man

Smolderin'

Li'l Darlin'

Turista

If Ever I Would Leave You

One O'Clock Jump

Deep Fry

Rough Ridin'

Satin Doll

Smokin'

One Note Samba

Dirty Old Bossa Nova