LEE RITENOUR

6 String Theory

[Concord]

The album is credited to Lee Ritenour, but the real star of 6 String Theory is the guitar itself. To celebrate his 50th anniversary as a picker, Ritenour invited a true who’s who of axemen to jam. The list includes fellow jazzers, of course—John Scofield burns on “Lay it Down,” Pat Martino shares a virtuosic tribute to a fallen legend in “L.P. (For Les Paul)” and Mike Stern kills on the Jeff Beck-associated “Freeway Jam.” But there are also blues greats (B.B. King, Taj Mahal), rockers (Slash and Journey’s Neal Schon share a track) and country’s Vince Gill, who takes his turn as soloist and singer alongside King, Keb’ Mo’ and Jonny Lang on “Why I Sing the Blues.” What’s notable and admirable about that particular track is that Ritenour relegates himself to rhythm guitar; in fact, he keeps the spotlight on his guests throughout 6 String Theory, serving primarily as producer and coordinator. The result is both inspirational and inspired. –JT