I'm sure a lot of moggers are already fans of this wonderful Hungarian guitarist- but for those of you not in the know, Gabor Szabo is the shit.
Szabo starting playing guitar at the age of 14 in his native Budapest. By the age of 20, he settled in California and began playing with jazz greats like Chico Hamilton and Ron Carter. His first solo album Spellbinder was released in 1966. It is one of my favorites, especially his lovely, surprisingly low-key rendition of Nancy Sinatra's "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)". Santana covered another song from the album, "Gypsy Queen" on 1970's "Abraxas". I don't know how to describe Szabo's guitar playing, except to say i've never heard anyone play quite like him. He hypnotizes me every time I listen to him.
I've also been listening to 1970's Lena Horne & Gabor Szabo, which includes sizzling renditions of "Everybody's Talkin'" and the Beatles "Rocky Raccoon", "In My Life", "The Fool on the Hill" and "Something".
1973's Mizrab has Szabo playing with a killer group consisting of Bob James, Jack DeJohnette, Billy Cobham, Ron Carter and Ralph MacDonald.
The album that most current fans know him from is The Sorcerer live at The Jazz Workshop in 1967. I would recommend this as the perfect introduction to his music, and probably the easiest album to find on cd.
Posted on 07/14/2006
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My Trusted MOGs
Gabor Szabo is totally delicious. I consume his music like a fat kid consumes cakes.
If I had my way, his music would play in every cab.
My Trusted MOGs
excellent post - deserves wider recognition for sure
My Trusted MOGs
I love his music so much. His stuff just blows me away. The album I have is The Sorcerer. I love it to death. I'm going to have to check out Spellbinder now. I found a copy of his Greatest Hits at my Grandma's house a couple years ago and it's completely untouched. It is a vinyl only release and it's also his first record. It's really great too. I managed to make a recording of it but it's one song too long to fit on a cd. I chose to leave off his cover of The White Rabbit. Awesome post.
My Trusted MOGs
whoa, i don't know him, like at all, i must go check it out, it sounds very cool, thanks so much for the heads up, props
My Trusted MOGs
same here. thank you.
My Trusted MOGs
The Sorcerer is indeed a fine album and a great introduction to Szabo...
My Trusted MOGs
Thanks Kate, another new find. Is it just me or does he remind you of Gainsbourg in that pic? When will you continue your father series?
My Trusted MOGs
He does have a very Gainsbourg vibe in that pic! My dad is in Montreal right now, so i've gotta wait a week until he gets back. He's got a million stories, so it'll be fun to see what comes up next.
My Trusted MOGs
Gabor is indeed the shit...I love one of his later LPs from 1978 to be precise called Belsta River which was recorded with a bunch of Scandinavian and Polish jazz musicians. Highly recommended.