George Barnes - Why Was I Born - 1977 video free download

Burt French

A major player who has always been underrated, George Barnes was one of the first to record on electric guitar (accompanying blues singers) and was a top studio guitarist during much of his career. His style was very much based in the 1930s, and his single-note lines predated Charlie Christian, although he had much less of an impact. A professional by the time he was 13, Barnes was working on the staff of NBC by 1938. Based in Chicago, he recorded with Big Bill Broonzy, Washboard Sam, and other blues performers. After a stint in the military during World War II, Barnes resumed his studio work and recorded radio transcriptions with his unusual octet. Although he performed in many types of settings in the 1950s, Barnes did not gain much recognition until he teamed up with fellow guitarist Carl Kress (whose sophisticated chord voicings perfectly complemented Barnes' solos) in the early '60s. After Kress' death in 1965, Barnes often collaborated with the younger guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, but it was his period as co-leader of a quartet with cornetist Ruby Braff (1973-1975) that gave Barnes his greatest fame, shortly before his death. He recorded as a leader for OKeh (two numbers in 1940); Wolf; and Keynote (with his octet on a posthumously released Hindsight LP); commercial sides for Decca and Mercury; with Kress (and in one instance Bud Freeman) for Stash, United Artists, and Audiophile; with Pizzarelli for Columbia and A&R; and in the 1970s for Famous Door and Concord.

Glenn Watkins

I ordered an original CD copy of this album (Don't Get Around Much Anymore) from AcousticDisc.com (the original label) a couple days ago. They still have a few copies left in stock. They are 13 dollars plus shipping. People are selling these used for more money on eBay and other places. I first heard this music on Pandora a few days ago and had to own a copy of it. I rarely buy music CD's any more.

onemanzguitar

Perhaps it depends on one's definition of "electric guitar". Do we know what kind of guitar was used and how it was electrified? According to John Fordham, senior Jazz critic for the Guardian: In 1932, a musician called Gage Brewer began performing on one of the first electrically amplified Hawaiian guitars. The idea soon appealed to guitarists rendered almost inaudible in big swing bands, but six years passed before a jazz guitarist, George Barnes, first recorded on a Spanish instrument with magnetic pick-ups in 1938.

Joseph Scott

"was the first person to record with an electric guitar" For an example from two years before George, youtube: len fillis dipsomania One year before, youtube: count basie time out

Alexandra Leh

Happy New Year, OMG :) I can't believe it's taken me this long to post my compliments on -- and thanks for! -- this video tribute to my father. Mrs. GB and I could not be more touched by your deep admiration for Dad's work -- and for your support of The George Barnes Legacy Collection. There's much more to come...I know you'll stay tuned! 

onemanzguitar

George's daughter left me a comment that was marked as SPAM and YouTube WONT let me approve it. So here it is: Aw, thanks so much for posting this beautiful tribute to my father! My mom and I couldn't be more appreciative...and my dad would say, "You are obviously a man of impeccable taste!" ;) All my best, Alexandra

NickRatnieks

The ultimate in swinging guitar.

alias inkhorn

George Barnes - A master of touch and tone, Barnes was a studio ace and radio star in Chicago before he was 20 and was the first person to record with an electric guitar, at age 16. He was a major influence of Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Herb Ellis, Merle Travis, and Uncle Joe MaphisAppearing on 100s of records of Decca stable acts, as well as the biggest names in Blues, Folk, Country and Western, Rock n Roll, his real forte was Jazz. An innovative progressive in the 30s, by the 1960s he became an elder statesman for the pre-Bebop composers such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, while continuing to compose and arrange more contemporary music. 

Burt French

George Barnes - A master of touch and tone, Barnes was a studio ace and radio star in Chicago before he was 20 and was the first person to record with an electric guitar, at age 16. He was a major influence of Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Herb Ellis, Merle Travis, and Uncle Joe MaphisAppearing on 100s of records of Decca stable acts, as well as the biggest names in Blues, Folk, Country and Western, Rock n Roll, his real forte was Jazz. An innovative progressive in the 30s, by the 1960s he became an elder statesman for the pre-Bebop composers such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, while continuing to compose and arrange more contemporary music. 

They can't take that away

They can't take that away - Ruby Braff and George Barnes in Berlin 1974

George Barnes

George Barnes - All the Things You Are