Monk, 'Trane, Miles & Me

Monk, 'Trane, Miles & Me

ASIN: B00000HXNZ

Editorial Reviews
From Jazziz
The emphasis is on the "me" in guitarist Larry Coryell's tribute to three musicians who inspired him. As he explores such tunes as Thelonious Monk's "Trinkle Tinkle," John Coltrane's "Naima," and Miles Davis' "All Blues," Coryell isn't throwing a costume party in which he impersonates his influences, but is simply trying on some of the musical suits they wore. He sounds good in them. As Coryell acknowledges in his liner notes, "When [Miles] did play familiar material, he did the tunes in an original way." Similarly, in a career punctuated with hits and misses - and, as with Davis, various fans and critics would likely disagree on which Coryell projects were successes and which were failures - Coryell has followed his own path, sometimes leaning toward traditional-jazz guitar, sometimes acting like a rock "guitar hero," but always sounding like himself. These tunes bring forth musicality more than chops from Coryell, whose thoughtful solos on "Star Eyes" and "Alone Together" show his traditional side. Coryell's quirky "Fairfield County Blues" recalls his work with Gary Burton in the late '60s while also nodding toward Monk, and, on "All Blues," Coryell, bassist Santi Debriano, and drummer Yoron Israel create a soulful "boogaloo jazz" feel. Pianist John Hicks contributes his usual tasteful playing to four of the nine tracks, and saxophonist Willie Williams nourishes two others. Throughout the album, Israel blends imagination, energy, and discretion, contributing greatly to Coryell's tribute to originality.

Tracks:

Star Eyes
Alone Together
Trinkle Tinkle
Fairfield County Blues
Patience
Up Against The Wall
Naima
All Blues
Almost A Waltz

Customer Reviews:

A Melting Pot Of Influences..........2000-11-25

is what makes Larry so intriging, and interesting to listen to. One can always hear an influence in his playing; weather its Tal Farlow, Django Reinhart, Lenny Breau, Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, or one of the numerous horn players of yesteryear. The great thing is he ALWAYS sounds like himself, and this excellent disc is a great showcase, and tribute to three of the top influential jazz musicians of the twentiest century.Always inventive in his solos and his treatment of the melody this disc holds the listener with his unpredictable and diverse ideas. Every tune has great moments to numerous to mention in this review. Especially: "Trinkle Tinkle", "Fairfield County Blues" "All Blues", and his great interpretation of John Coltrane's "Naima". The whole disc was recorded very well too!

Thank you Larry for faxing me the chart to your composition "First Things First" after your performance in Philadelphia one night in 1998? I never got the chance to thank you.

A highly original and inventive artist with an incredible discography to check out, many of his early recordings not yet available on disc.

Also recommend: "Major Jazz Minor Blues" "Equipoise"

Fantastic Jazz Guitar.......2000-02-04

I have have listened to Mr. Coryell for years and prefer his recordings of Jazz Standards to his Fusion(although those are great too.)

His tone is a very distintive one and his interpretations of these Monk, Trane and Miles tunes would impress the authors.

Mr. Coryell mentions that All Blues is one the most played standards of all time, I have witnessed many versions of this and his has a great reharmonization of the basic progression and a great feel.

Naima is my favorite, Isreal's mallet playing keeps the feel close to the original. One of Mr Coryell's strengths is certainly playing Modal tunes like this one.

Monk's tune 'Trinkle' allows Mr. Coryell to open up and pull out his firey, explosive soloing style that is his tradmark. Willie Williams is certainly influenced by the great John Coltrane and adds some great intensity on this track.

Mr. Coryell's Fairfield County Blues is a fine minor blues tune with an impeccable jazz/blues feel. As always with Mr. Coryell's jazz recordings there is a bit Wes Montgomery in his playing.

Clearly Larry Coryell has mastered the Jazz idiom. Toko Du and Minor Blues Major Jazz are also must have CDs that display Mr. Coryell's fine Jazz Guitar playing.

Fine traditional jazz.......1999-07-02

This album brings Larry Coryell back to a more traditional setting. Unlike some of his adult contemporary albums of late, Coryell chooses the style of the early 1960s.

The material is strong and Coryell's playing is excellent throughout. His use of fingerpicking on many of the tracks adds a warm touch reminiscent of Wes Montgomery.

The band provides a strong vehicle for Coryell's guitar. John Hicks on piano is very tasteful, playing strong leads and setting just the right foundation. Willie William's sax shows less restraint, and at times sounds like Coltrain. Santi Debriano on bass is remarkable, lending a unique sound to the proceedings. Yoron Israel plays drums with the finesse of the older, traditional players.

Coryell does a good job with most of the material here. The strongest cuts are "Star Eyes", where we find the guitar blazing with rapid-fire single-note lines, "Up Against the Wall", and an excellent rendition of Miles Davis' "All Blues".

This album is highly recommended for jazz guitar fans.

Coryell goes mainstream in straightahead improv masterpiece.......1999-02-20

I was a Larry Coryell fan in the late 60's when he was with Gary Burton but lost interest in his playing during his hardcore fusion years. I tried this CD on impulse. Wow! What spectacular guitar playing and arrangements. Coryell playing now with beautiful classical jazz guitar tone, and awesome chops doesn't lose some his rock influenced sensibilities but sounds more like Tal Farlow with some Joe Pass or Jim Hall harmonic sense thrown in than Jimi Hendrix. Wonderful presentations of originals and some well known Monk, Miles and Coltrane tunes, but Fairfield County Blues, a Coryell original minor blues destined to become a classic in its own right. His sidemen are also top notch though not housefold names. Very good sound quality on this recording as well.

Average customer rating:

Prior reviewer, too critical
His sidemen are excellent; tunes are good; he sounds awful

Monk, Miles, Trane & Cannon
Freddie Hubbard
Manufacturer: Music Masters Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000000FPL
Release Date: 1995-09-12

Tracks:

One Of A Kind
Naima
Spirit Of Trane
The Song My Lady Sings
Off Minor
All Blues
D Minor Mint
One For Cannon

Customer Reviews:

Prior reviewer, too critical.......2002-02-17

Had you listened to this album without knowing who they were, you would sit up, notice and ask who the performers were.

I just wanted to react to the previous reviewer and counterbalance his claims. The album does not merit two stars only. The arrangements are lush and the supporting crew are exceptional. Overall it was a good performance. It may not be as groundbreaking compared to his previous work but it is still good nonetheless.

His sidemen are excellent; tunes are good; he sounds awful.......1999-06-25

Hubbard is barely audible, his tone is terrible, he sounds tremendously stilted. It is a shame because the sidemen are so powerful and the tunes (covers of originals and the originals) are so well conceived (and executed by the sidemen) that this could be a great album. Hubbard truly sounds awful. I hate to say this about a trumpet player I love so much but a consumer should not be misled by Freddie's reputation (which definitely precedes him in this session). I don't know how the "Jazziz" reviewer can honestly declare that Freddie's trumpet shines. This was a major disappointment, particularly given the theme of the project.

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