''Upon a Time'' is a studio album by American jazz guitarist John Abercrombie with drummer George Marsh and bassist Mel Graves. The album was recorded in California in 1982 and released by New Albion Records in 1989.

Reception

A reviewer of

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

awarded the album two stars out of five, stating "John Abercrombie's 1989 release ''Upon a Time'' is, as the subtitle points out, an album of duets, mostly with bassist Mel Graves and drummer George Marsh. While bass and drum solos are often the punchlines of musical jokes, Graves and Marsh are skilled players with enough good taste to keep the flashiness to an interesting minimum. As for guitarist Abercrombie, his playing is typically brilliant, whether picking out the traditional melody of 'My Scottish Heart' or moving into a more impressionistic sonic arena in tracks like 'In the Woods' or 'Chuck Man Rivers.' Earthier and more expressly jazz-based than many releases on the ECM-affiliated New Albion label, ''Upon a Time'' is a satisfying, richly rewarding album."

Track listing

Personnel

*John Abercrombie – electric guitar, mandolin, mando-guitar, piano *Mel Graves – double bass, bass guitar *George Marsh – drums, percussion, thumb piano

References

{{Authority control John Abercrombie (guitarist) albums 1991 albums