Undercovers

A native of the Bronx, N.Y., Lou's special virtuosity has allowed him to work in a wide variety of musical contexts while developing a unique approach to jazz guitar - a warm and lyric romanticism that illuminates the worlds of Jazz, R&B and Adult Contemporary with singing intensity and exquisite taste. He has completed a new recording, quot;Undercoversquot;, with a radio-friendly collection of familiar songs including a fresh version of Lennon-McCartney's Eleanor Rigby featuring Brazil's Dom Um Ramao and vocalist, Ithamarra Koorax. The guitar of Lou Volpe, a mainstay of the New York music scene for the past two decades, has graced the recordings and performances of many of the finest and most successful musical artists. A deep knowledge of classic American guitar styles combined with writing, arranging and production skills has led Lou through a variety of recordings.. ? Herbie Mann - quot;Astral Islandquot; (Atlantic) - Coproduction, composition and arranging, extensive touring. ? Bette Midler - quot;Live At Lastquot; (Atlantic) - Album solos and touring. ? Judy Collins - quot;Sanity and Gracequot;, quot;Trust Your Heartquot;, Running For My Lifequot; (Elektra) - Solo and rhythm guitar, arranging, many tours and T.V. appearances. ? Terumasa Hino - quot;Double Rainbowquot;, quot;Pyramidquot;, quot;New York Timesquot; (Columbia/Sony) - Solo and rhythm guitar, arranging and writing, concerts and television in Japan. ? Harry Chapin - quot;Living Room Suitequot; (Elektra) ? Richard Harris - quot;The Prophetquot; (Atlantic) - Solos and rhythm tracks for producer Arif Mardin. ? Les McCann - quot;Road Warriorsquot; (Greene Street Records) - A Creed Taylor production. ? Joey Di Francesco - Solos and rhythm guitar for Joey's first three Columbia albums including quot;Where Were You?quot;, produced by George Butler, with Count Basie alumni. ? Lou Volpe - quot;Morning Madnessquot; (Love Records) - Composition and arranging for solo European project. Other performance and recording credits include work with Peggy Lee, Gil Evans, Chaka Khan, Larry Coryell, Bo Diddley, Jon Lucien, Tania Maria, Hank Crawford, David quot;Fatheadquot; Newman, Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Liza Minelli, Lionel Hampton, Roberta Flack, Phoebe Snow, The Manhattan Transfer, Herbie Hancock, others...... Just Jazz Guitar Magazine says of Lou's playing: quot;...plenty of passionate soulful guitar lines.....sweet-singing jazz...lyrical......you should check this out: it will make you smile.quot; Syracuse Post Standard quot;The man's ideas are forthright and his tone speaks the truth. Volpe only gets one solo on the record. That's not enough. The stuff he displayed ... deserves more...quot; (referring to a Herbie Mann CD) quot;His notes don't sound, they sting. His phrases constantly turn over new ground...quot; Cincinnati Enquirer quot;He has the hardness of Wes Montgomery ...quot; Times Reporter Fish Altieri writes of quot;Undercoversquot; quot;...a blend of well known songs cooked to perfection into instrumental pieces of comforting stylistic grooves....a pretty amazing lineup...Listen for the tonal melancholy and clean ripping speed riffs on the Judy Collins classic, Both Sides Now. Quality stuff.quot; More reviews coming..........