Record Reviews

LARRY CORYELL ~ LAST SWING WITH IRELAND ANGEL AIR 641 (Barcode: 5055011700413) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2021 This is the last studio recording by the iconic American guitarist / composer Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, captured just a few months before his untimely passing. The music was recorded in Ireland in an intimate trio setting with local bassist Dave RedmondFind albums by this artist and drummer Kevin BradyFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, four of which are standards and two are originals co-composed by the trio members. Coryell plays with incredible vigor and passion and his virtuosity is unblemished, which means that this album is a delightful farewell with his sublime and unique talent. Coryell did not receive the due respect for his revolutionary role as a Godfather of American Jazz-Rock Fusion, starting with his absolutely amazing work with Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist in the 1960s and later his own groups, like The Eleventh HouseFind albums by this artist and duets / trios with other great guitarists, like Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, Paco De LuciaFind albums by this artist, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and others. His extraordinary recording legacy includes over fifty albums as a leader and close to double that number as a sideman. In retrospect he remains as one of the greatest Guitar heroes of all time. I have been fortunate to meet Larry Coryell many times, as well as his first wife Julie CoryellFind albums by this artist, who wrote one of the first books about Fusion and was a great photographer. Overall, this is a delightful classic Jazz guitar album, which should delight every true guitar lover, even though it is not particularly innovative. It is, however, simply delightful!

Updated: 02/11/2021Posted: 02/11/2021

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LARRY CORYELL ~ LIVE AT THE SUGAR CLUB DUBLIN 2016 ANGEL AIR 648 (Barcode: 5055011700482) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2022 This is a live recording by the legendary American Jazz guitarist / composer / bandleader Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, captured in a trio setting with Irish bassist Dave RedmondFind albums by this artist and drummer Kevin BradyFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded at Dublin’s Sugar Club in May 2016, just a few months prior to Coryell’s death in early 2017. The 2CD album presents seventeen tracks, five of which are spoken intros. Most of the music includes Jazz standards, but several original compositions by Coryell are also present. During the last two years of his life Coryell visited Ireland several times to perform and also recorded there his last studio album “Last Swing With IrelandFind albums with this title”. The intimate trio setting and the relaxed club atmosphere allow the listener to enjoy a wonderful display of Coryell’s incredible guitar Artistry, which is second to none. The music is strictly Jazz oriented, and although Coryell became mostly known for his work within the Jazz-Rock Fusion genre, of which he was one of its great precursors, during the last years of his career he returned to more traditional Jazz. Overall, this is a great Jazz guitar album, full of superb performances by a Giant guitarist, who contributed to the development of the genre during six decades of intensive activity, which resulted in a massive recorded legacy. Although not innovative or groundbreaking, like his earlier recordings, this is a proper document of his great talent, which deserves to be heard, not only by guitar enthusiasts, but by all Jazz lovers.

Updated: 24/04/2023Posted: 24/04/2023

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