Record Reviews

LARRY CORYELL ~ LAID BACK & BLUES RHOMBUS 7066 (Barcode: 768707706624) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 This is a live album by American Jazz guitarist / composer / bandleader Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Marc SealesFind albums by this artist, bassist Chuck DeardorfFind albums by this artist and drummer Dean HodgesFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Tracey PiergrossFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents ten tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Coryell and three are Jazz / Blues standards. The album offers exceptional sound quality considering it was a rather informal live recording. During the last decade of Coryell’s life, before his tragically premature death in 2017, he recorded a dozen albums, mostly live, which present a chaotic collection of material of often disappointing quality. However, this album is absolutely superb from start to finish, recorded obviously in a relaxed atmosphere and featuring excellent musicians, who support Coryell amicably and with abilities worthy of his genius. His guitar work is brilliant, as always, and for his many fans this is a most welcome return to his early Jazz career, without any Fusion traces. His virtuosity is undeniable and his technique unparalleled. Overall, this is a most welcome addition to the extensive legacy of one of the greatest Jazz guitarists in all time, which sadly is very little known as most of his late recordings. Therefore, I really recommend to all Jazz guitar lovers to try and find a copy if this gem, as it is worthy of being heard and admired, and becoming a part of any serious record collection.

Updated: 28/09/2025Posted: 28/09/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

DON LANPHERE / LARRY CORYELL ~ DON LANPHERE / LARRY CORYELL HEP 2048 (Barcode: 5016275120485) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1990 Released: 1990 This is a relatively obscure album by American saxophonist / composer Don LanphereFind albums by this artist and guitarist / composer Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, recorded with keyboardist Marc SealesFind albums by this artist, bassist Chuck DeardorfFind albums by this artist, drummer Dean HodgesFind albums by this artist, trombonist Jeff HayFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Jon PughFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, three of which are original compositions by Lanphere, two by Seales, one by Coryell and the remaining five are standards. The album was released on the small British HepFind albums on this label Records label, which is home to several American Jazz musicians. The music is all mainstream Jazz, excellently played by all the participants, but not particularly innovative or challenging. The main interest is the presence of Coryell, who plays superb guitar parts on the album, all of which are strictly Jazz oriented, in contrast to his Fusion legacy, which made him famous. The highlights of the album are the duets by Coryell with Lanphere and Seales. Overall, this is a nice Jazz album, notable mostly due to Coryell’s contributions, presenting the usual mainstream American Jazz, which has little to contribute to the Jazz genre since its heydays well over half a Century ago. Coryell’s guitar playing is of course something else entirely.

Updated: 01/05/2023Posted: 01/05/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend