CD Review
Larry Carlton
Sapphire Blue
(Bluebird 82876-57667-2)
by John R. Taylor
Review date: August 2004
|
|
"Keeping the Blues Alive Award"
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by The Blues Foundation
| |
 |
Larry Carlton is, hands down, one of the world's best guitarists. That much, at least, is indisputable. He's worked with an astonishing number of artists through the years, from Steely Dan through The Crusaders. He's appeared on countless pop albums as an in-demand session player. And he's established a solid reputation as one of the more accomplished and intelligent practitioners of 'easy jazz,' his superb fretwork giving his musical endeavours in that oft-maligned genre a rare level of musical muscle.
News that his first project for the prestigious Bluebird label would consist of an all-blues outing seemed cause for celebration. He's flirted with blues many times in the past, of course, but always from, for lack of a better term, a modern jazzman's perspective. And that, alas, is what we get with Sapphire Blue - a slick, technically perfect product with energy enough, but somehow too concerned with surface polish to pack any emotional wallop.
Carlton's not a singer, presumably preferring to let his guitar do the singing for him. And sing it does - again, there are few who can match him for either taste or technical proficiency. He's more than capable of dazzling dexterity, yet like B. B. King (one of his admitted idols) he can also say more with one or two perfectly placed notes than most can during an extended solo. In short, he's a musician's musician, an absolute master of his instrument. Would, then, that he'd chosen a less cluttered showcase for his stunning fretwork.
The music on Sapphire Blue consists of eight instrumentals, all originals, all but one over five minutes and a couple exceeding the eight-minute mark. Carlton could easily have filled 'em up with his typically fine guitar work - he's endlessly inventive - but has opted instead for full band arrangements that all too often drown out any message the songs might otherwise impart. In addition to a full horn section, there's B3 (courtesy of Reese Wynans) and Fender Rhodes (thanks to Matt Rollings). There's both a drummer (Billy Kilson) and a percussionist. Terry McMillan contributes harmonica on the all-acoustic closer, "Take Me Down, a duet between he and Carlton, the two carrying on an intimate conversation. But elsewhere the arrangements tend to be overblown to the point of bombast. Carlton himself is wise enough to leave lots of room in his own playing, but with everyone else around him far too busy, his message is all but lost.
As jazz compositions, the songs on "Sapphire Blue" are a notch above, and the album is a pleasant listen. Guitar fans will be utterly amazed at some of the things Carlton comes up with; no complaints there. But as far as blues content goes, well, the songs might well adhere to a twelve-bar structure (though they're often so busy with variations in tempo and dynamics one's inclined to forget), but they lack the essential narrative drive that gives the blues their power. Blues are all about telling a story. And the stories on Sapphire Blue are lost in a murk. A flawlessly played, impeccably produced murk. But a murk nonetheless.
Web: www.bluebirdjazz.com
Web: www.larrycarlton.com
Buy this CD NOW:
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
"This review is copyright © 2004 by John R. Taylor, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."
Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
Click on this banner to get you new low percent credit card:
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details).
Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
Web Hosting & Design:
CLICK HERE for Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $75.
The most affordable web hosting and design services available. Click Here
to find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!
If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies, along with promotional material to:
Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983
E-mail Ray Stiles @ mnblues@aol.com with any questions.
|
|
 Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com
Copyright © 2004 Ray M. Stiles & Blues On Stage
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Blues On Stage is a ® Trademark of Ray Stiles.
|
|
We build websites