Believe it or not, there was a time when jazz was a really popular style of music, and the electric guitar was ruled by gods such as Larry Coryell, John McGlaughlin, Al DiMeola and Jeff Beck. All four of these guys are still with us, and things have changed since the 70s. But, for those who weren’t around during those halcyon days, this 3 disc set serves as a fascinating time capsule when adroit music was actually appreciated by the huddled masses.
The first disc is from 1972 in Boston, MA, as Coryell leads a fusion based band with John Miller/b, Mike Mandel/keys, Steve Marcus/ss and Harry Wilkinson/dr. This is when rock and jazz were just starting to meld together, and Coryell’s electric guitar was on the vanguard of the cutting edge. The band gets real assertive here, with “Offering” and “Hen-Hopper” filled with thunderous keyboards, hard hitting drums and Coryell’s searing strings. “Scotland” has Miller doing some wondrous things on bass, and the whole set feels like uncharted waters are boldly being explored.
The second disc has Coryell going completely acoustic during a 1976 solo concert in Worcester, MA. He does some blues work as he vocalizes along the hip “Aint It Is” and does a rich read of Wayne Shorter’s “Ju Ju.” His technical acuity is astonishing here, contrasting picks with strums and taps out material from his classic Eleventh House album such as “Rodrigo Reflections” and “Eyes of Love.” Reminisces of his meeting with McLaughlin are alluded to on his retake of the engrossing “Renee’s Theme,” making this an intimate joy.
The last disc, recorded in San Jose during 2002, seems to find Coryell at his rest. He seems at peace with his youthful excursions and is now satisfied returning to his first love, straight-ahead jazz. He trios up with Jeff Chambers/b and Paul Wertico/dr and sounds like he’s as comfy as walking in 20 year old penny loafers on Wes Montgomery’s “Bumpin’ On Sunset” and bopping along with a swinging take of Thelonious Monk’s “Trinkle, Tinkle.” His read of “In A Sentimental Mood” is calm and yet passionate, while the bossa classic “Manha De Carnaval” is deliciously delicate. His own “Spaces Revisite” are filled with joy as Chambers and Wertico are wonderfully elastic and flexible.
These discs are three coins in the fountain of Coryell’s musical pilgrimage. Drink deeply!
Cleopatra Records