Guitarist
Vic Juris triumphs again on
Songbook 2, aided by bassist
Michael Formanek and drummer
Jeff Hirshfield. Like its predecessor, this album features mainly standards and jazz classics, with one
Juris original -- the melodic, modulating waltz "One True Friend" -- thrown in for good measure.
Juris' tone is modern but woody and full-bodied, leaping out in the mix.
Formanek, taking over for
Jay Anderson, supports
Hirshfield's animated rhythms with a massive yet limber bass sound.
Juris leads off with "Long Ago and Far Away" -- which happens also to be the opener on
Adam Rogers'
Art of the Invisible, released around the same time (the two versions are worth hearing back to back). Other highlights include
John Lewis' "Django,"
Scott LaFaro's "Gloria's Step," and
John Coltrane's "Giant Steps," as well as oft-overlooked items like "You Won't Forget Me" (played on acoustic guitar), "Golden Earrings," and
Thelonious Monk's "Locomotive."