5 Facts About Steve Swallow’s 1994 Album Real Book

It’s a solo bass album Steve Swallow recorded Real Book in 1994, playing only electric bass guitar with no other musicians.

The title references the famous fake book The album’s name nods to the Real Book, the widely used collection of jazz lead sheets.

It was released on XtraWATT/ECM The album came out on Swallow’s own XtraWATT label, distributed by ECM.

The music is entirely original All compositions on the album were written by Swallow himself.

It showcases his signature electric bass style Swallow’s playing on Real Book highlights his melodic, chordal approach to the electric bass, a sound he helped pioneer.