Product Description Sapphire Blue by Larry Carlton .com It is said that the sins of the father are visited on the sons, but sometimes Junior's sins are visited on poor dad. Players like Larry Carlton, David Sanborn, Jaco Pastorius, and Eddie Van Halen developed new, personal sounds and techniques on their instruments that have since been bastardized by dozens of less-talented offspring, often leading to an unfair denigration of the progenitors. Carlton's smooth, singing guitar tone has been adopted by a legion of hacks who would never be able to create the inventive solos the LA session ace supplied to Steely Dan (see: "Kid Charlemagne"), nor the revolutionary textures he bestowed upon Joni Mitchell (see: all of Court and Spark). Granted the requirements of radio have occasionally softened his own edge; but offered the chance to record anything he wants results in Sapphire Blue--a horn-section driven, blues-based outing that reminds us why he is, well, Larry Carlton. From the opening romp of "Friday Night Shuffle," to the closing down-home acoustic/harmonica duet of "Take Me Down," this disc offers undiluted guitar soul with no concessions to the "smooth jazz" canon. Any doubts will be quickly dispelled with one listen to the title tune, where drummer Billy Kilson (Dave Holland) is allowed to go brilliantly berserk under the climax of Carlton's final solo. Throughout, Carlton's greasy playing rivals some of his best work with the Crusaders, providing a textbook for a new generation of guitarists. Let's hope that this time they learn the right lessons. --Michael Ross
M**T
*****AWESOME*****
This is one of the best guitar CDs I have ever heard. Larry is one of the top jazz guitarists in the world and anyone familiar with his work will be blown away by these instrumental gems. Larry's liner notes state "I have wanted for many years to do a 'blues oriented' CD. For 'Saphire Blue' I had complete creative freedom." I assume his desire for creative freedom has something to do with the fact that this cd is only available as an import. Don't let the price scare you - it's worth every penny.Larry maintains an upbeat jazz/blues focus while showcasing his brilliant dexterity and encyclopedic knowledge of various styles. My personal favorites are "Night Sweats" and "Take Me Down". The former begins with ominous keyboard changes that bring to mind "Come Together" by the Beatles and progesses into slow, simmering jazz groove that could have been lifted from a Steely Dan CD. The later is an acoustic guitar/harmonica exchange between Larry and his old buddy Terry McMillan. I immediately thought of "Black Water" by the Doobie Bros. Other highlights include the title track which has a B.B. King feel to it and the bouncy bonus track "Room 335". The stellar backup musicians include Reese Wynan (formerly with Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble) on B-3 organ, Mark Douthit on tenor sax and excellent horn arrangements by Jim Horn. I would give this CD 10 stars if I could - it's really that good! Can't wait to see him in concert 11/15.
M**M
WOW! Fantastic blues album from a truly great guitar player.
I've been a fan of his for years, going back to his searingly hot jazz/rock with Steely Dan and funkier jazz with The Crusaders. I think Larry has always had a strong blues influence, but on this CD he totally immerses himself and it's simply fantastic. If you're looking for the "smooth jazz" side of Larry Carlton, this ain't it (he's good at that, too, but on other recordings). Incredible playing, flawless technique as usual but even more than that -- great feeling. His duet with McMillan ("Take Me Down") is so pure and focused, and the recording is crystal clear, like you are sitting in a small room listening to two superb musicians interacting seamlessly. This is by far my favorite Carlton album, and I wish he would record about ten more like this!
J**0
Great CD
Another fine outing by Mr Carlton
B**N
Pure Electric Instrumental Blues with a Polished Modern Band
Larry Carlton took his love of, and virtuosity with, pure blues and combined it with the mastery of modern recording he developed with The Crusaders and Steely Dan to produce a very polished, modern blues big band album. He left smooth jazz and progressive pop music in his guitar case, and played pure, modern, electric, instrumental blues in front of one of the most polished rhythm sections and horn sections ever to record the blues.
D**L
As good as a digital recording can get..
This is a great CD featuring great musicians. What makes this Cd so special is the absolutely stunning recording of these tunes. This is the standard which all modern recording should be held to...no sense of overly compressed digital blandness here.The sound stage is huge, the percussion powerful and crisp, and every instrument can be heard loud and clear, with textures that are beyond belief. This has become a favorite disc of mine for using as a demo for my home audio system. This is about a close to audio heaven as any blues/jazz CD that I have owned. If your into great sound this is a must have.
C**D
Larry Carlton plays Blues
I have several Larry Carlton CDs, this is my favorite. Clear pristine flowing blues. I love it.
J**E
Three Stars
gift to someone i only heard some of it
D**E
Love this whole collection!
How have I not heard Larry Carlton? Listened to a cut on NPR recently (Night Sweats) and began began my mad hunt. The tune was not available on iTunes or as a download at all, it seems, so I shelled out for the whole disc and I'm glad I did. If you like mellow to swingy jazz, and good guitar playing, you'll likely enjoy this CD.
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