Larry Coryell

derek · January-8th-2004, 08:58 AM

Is it possible to get cd : Larry correal. " Barefoot boy,". My album is worn out.

Pete C · January-8th-2004, 09:36 AM

It sounds like the cover must be worn out too.

Tom Storer · January-8th-2004, 09:41 AM

What Pete means to indicate by his wry post is that the guitarist's last name is spelled "Coryell."

"Barefoot Boy" is available from Amazon.com.

derek · January-8th-2004, 09:48 AM

yeh, someone must have stolen a few letters from my keyboard, thats what you get when you don't check the spelling. thanks for your help.

BFrank · January-8th-2004, 12:15 PM

That's a great album, BTW.

BlueMiles · July-27th-2005, 10:01 PM

I'm curious to get some discussion going on Larry Coryell.

His name never seems to come up here at Jazz Corner. Whether one has a lot of his work in his/her collection or not (I have very little), you have to admit that he is a significant figure in jazz.

On the U.S. scene, he is often regarded as the first "fusion" guitaritst, predating the arrival of McLaughlin by at least 3 years. Perhaps Coryell would have been more famous had he been in Miles' band for a spell.

Of course, he did make a splash in the early days. "Spaces" is a fusion classic, and there are many fine dates (from what I understand) on the Vanguard label.

Here's about all I have of Coryell: a very early appearance on Chico Hamilton's "The Dealer" (I think Hamilton has been enamored of rock-influenced guitarists ever since); "Spaces"; "Together" with Emily Remler; "Cause and Effect," a 1998 fusion-type CD with something of a Lifetime sound.

Larry has done very hard-edged stuff, very intimate acoustic stuff, Classical, straight-ahead jazz, and a lot else.

I enjoy eclectic guitarists like Frisell, Metheny, and Abercombie--so I'm feeling a need to build up my Coryell collection. But I also want to know why he has such a low profile.

BFrank · July-27th-2005, 11:24 PM

It probably didn't help that he spent so much time on Vanguard in his early fusion years. They weren't exactly the most high-profile label.

One of his early classics is "Barefoot Boy" on, yet another, semi-obscure label at the time - Flying Dutchman.

Noj · July-27th-2005, 11:38 PM

Like BFrank, I really like Barefoot Boy. I've also got The Eleventh House & Basic which are cool but not quite as good.

Nate Dorward · July-27th-2005, 11:43 PM

I barely know his music, but was fortunate enough to receive a review copy last year of The Power Trio, a recent straightahead disc--great stuff. FWIW.

Ron Thorne · July-28th-2005, 12:48 AM

Coryell was the leader of the first band in which my pal Jim Pepper played and recorded, The Free Spirits, arguably one of if not the first fusion bands . . . ever. Drummer Bobby Moses was also a part of that experience in 1967 with the release of The Free Spirits: Out Of Sight And Mind.

Then, Jim and Larry connected once again for Jim's 1st outing as a leader, Pepper's Pow Wow with drummer Billy Cobham, pianist Tom Grant and bassist Chuck Rainey, among others, in 1971.

rene · July-28th-2005, 03:16 AM

my initial introduction to coryell was via his self titled album 'larry coryell' which contained a cut, 'beautiful woman' that became a mantra for all of us who were embracing fusion at that time.

i've followed his progress since then, getting the albums 'restful mind', 'twin house' with another wonderful guitarist, phillip catherine, 'spaces', 'tributaries' w/ john scofield and joe beck, 'equipoise', etc. haven't heard much of him lately, except for a disc that turned up in my room a few months ago, 'Live at the subway, cologne'.

Peterdubya · July-28th-2005, 03:37 PM

Larry has a new cd on Chesky with Victoy Bailey and Lenny White.
They are touring in support of the CD and will be at Catalina's in LA and at Yoshi's in Oakland. they may hit Jazz Alley in Seattle too.

BlueMiles · July-28th-2005, 05:38 PM

It surprises me that Coryell has put out work on tons of small labels. As far as I know, he's never been on a major label like Columbia or even major jazz labels like Blue Note, Verve, and ECM. About the closest to a major label is Muse.

dizmonk · July-28th-2005, 08:24 PM

How is that "Together" session with Emily Remler?? I"m WAY more interested in it for her than him???? Know where I can get a copy these days?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMiles

I'm curious to get some discussion going on Larry Coryell.

His name never seems to come up here at Jazz Corner. Whether one has a lot of his work in his/her collection or not (I have very little), you have to admit that he is a significant figure in jazz.

On the U.S. scene, he is often regarded as the first "fusion" guitaritst, predating the arrival of McLaughlin by at least 3 years. Perhaps Coryell would have been more famous had he been in Miles' band for a spell.

Of course, he did make a splash in the early days. "Spaces" is a fusion classic, and there are many fine dates (from what I understand) on the Vanguard label.

Here's about all I have of Coryell: a very early appearance on Chico Hamilton's "The Dealer" (I think Hamilton has been enamored of rock-influenced guitarists ever seen); "Spaces"; "Together" with Emily Remler; "Cause and Effect," a 1998 fusion-type CD with something of a Lifetime sound.

Larry has done very hard-edged stuff, very intimate acoustic stuff, Classical, straight-ahead jazz, and a lot else.

I enjoy eclectic guitarists like Frisell, Metheny, and Abercombie--so I'm feeling I need to build up my Coryell collection. But I also want to know why he has such a low profile.

Brian Olewnick · July-28th-2005, 08:34 PM

I wonder if there exist tapes of Coryell from the late 60s when I'm betting he did some fairly experimental free work. I remember him kinda begrudging Hendrix, in the sense that just when he would develop some approach or technique he thought was totally new, he'd discover that Hendrix had done it a few months before. But I'm mostly thinking of this because of his turn on Michael Mantler's 'Communications' album with the JCOA. The track that features Coryell (this is in 1968) is essentially a feedback blowout and a pretty damn amazing one. Hard to imagine this was a one-of-a-kind deal, but maybe.

I saw him on a double bill with Mahavishnu around 1972-73. Liked Coryell more.

BFrank · July-28th-2005, 09:00 PM

There's an album he did on Vanguard called "Larry Coryell at the Village Gate" that's rough as hell, but a lot of fun. A bare-bones session in a small venue with a great "live" sound. I don't know how hard it is to find (may not even be on CD), but if you see it, get it.

VIBEr · July-28th-2005, 10:04 PM

Remember that Coryell was a member of the first version of the Gary Burton Quartet, with Steve Swallow and either Bob Moses or Roy Haynes on drums. Fantastic group, cut four albums on RCA before Larry left the band. Excellent playing by Coryell.

Captain Hate · July-28th-2005, 10:29 PM

When I first moved to Cleveland Larry and the Eleventh House used to play at the late lamented Smiling Dog Saloon on West 25th Street off of Rt 71, where musicians used to play gigs that lasted the majority of a week; I loved going midweek when nobody was there and I could stay up *much* later than I can now and effectively answer the bell. I must've caught him at least three times and enjoyed it a great deal (hence the multiple times). I totally agree with BFrank that being on Vanguard was a poor career move because that must be the worst promoted label ever. Even the packaging screamed "Don't buy me!!!"; what an obstacle to overcome.

Jesse · July-28th-2005, 10:50 PM

The first two Oregon albums suffered that dichotomy, imo. Lovely music inside, bad hippie art outside.

I really like Larry's turn on the controlled feedback squalls on Bley/Mantler's Jazz Composer Orchestra (the silver box).

BFrank · July-28th-2005, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

I totally agree with BFrank that being on Vanguard was a poor career move because that must be the worst promoted label ever. Even the packaging screamed "Don't buy me!!!"; what an obstacle to overcome.

If I'm not mistaken, Vanguard was mostly a folk music label at the time, as well. Doesn't help jazz visibility.

Tom Marcello · July-28th-2005, 11:21 PM

I liked this one a lot when it came out but have not heard it in decades.

FAIRYLAND - 1971 (Philips, 6369 411)

* Recorded Live in Montreux, Switzerland: June 18, 1971
Larry Coryell, guitar
Chuck Rainey, bass
Pretty Purdie, drums

SIDE 1

Souls Dirge (Larry Coryell) 9:39
Eskdalemuir (Larry Coryell) 8:38

SIDE 2

Stones (Davis) 7:08
Further Explorations for Albert Stinson (Larry Coryell

Ron Thorne · July-28th-2005, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse

The first two Oregon albums suffered that dichotomy, imo. Lovely music inside, bad hippie art outside.

Sorry to sidetrack this Coryell thread, but this statement captured my attention.

Sorry, but I don't see the dichotomy. "Bad Hippie art"? Are you referring to Music of Another Present Era and Distant Hills? If so, on that we'll have to agree to disagree, my friend. I don't see the "bad" and certainly don't know what "hippie art" might be. Of course, that's my subjective view of it.

Seems to have a decidedly Asian influence to my eyes. Dug the cover art and the title.

I see a somewhat impressionistic watercolor image of two figures juxtaposed to a landscape along with some hand done text.

Lovely music, indeed.

Jesse · July-28th-2005, 11:49 PM

Ron
Well, this is embarrassing-neither of the covers you posted were what I was conjuring! And my recollection of the chronology is whack! I went to the old lp crates, and I own Distant Hills & Winter Light, both owning lovely art work. (The latter, of course, includes a fetching version of Mr. Pepper's Witchi-Tai-To).

So, happy to own my gaffe, and to own those Oregon platters.

Blame it on the brown acid.

Ron Thorne · July-29th-2005, 12:24 AM

I was reluctant to post what I did, frankly. It certainly wasn't my intention to embarass you, man. Or to have you cop to brown acid, either.

I love OREGON, the musicians who comprise that extraordinary band, and have more than a few fond memories of them in several contexts. One of the finest is of Patti and me sitting and chatting into the wee hours with Paul McCandless at Parnell's Jazz Club in Seattle after a duo gig had ended. It was far beyond the music, which was sublime.

BlueMiles · July-29th-2005, 07:38 PM

DizMonk,

I found "Together" on vinyl at a used record store some years ago. I paid some outrageous price, no more than 4 bucks! I have not heard it in a long time, but it's a nice session.

I have not checked on his work as a sideman, but it seems that Coryell has not done much of it. This is quite different from Frisell and Metheny, who in addition to their major solo careers manage to squeeze in countless sessions for other musicians.

Tom Marcello · July-29th-2005, 09:14 PM

I found two sites with everything you would like to know about him...

Full web site

Discography

GoodSpeak · July-29th-2005, 10:02 PM

I have had the good fortune to have seen Larry Coryell in concert.

He is a fine and gifted Jazz guitarist to be sure.

phlppo · July-29th-2005, 10:54 PM

Lary Coryell is the 1st jazz musician I heard live, and for that reason if no other he remains my favorite guitarist. I saw him in a club in Dallas around the time of the albums Coryell and Lady Coryell I think. I feel like I remember he even sang that night, but I may be mixing the memories of the record with those of the show I saw. Later I saw Eleventh House at Grinnell College. For years I loved the memory of that concert.

I lost all my LPs 25 years ago. But when I started listening to music again, I went back to Larry Coryell pretty quick. I like Cedars of Avalon (Highnote, 2002), with Cedar Walton, Buster Williams and Billy Drummond. For me this band's version of Bemsha Swing is just a happy happy thing.

Larry can swing for sure, but you know, I really love it when he just can't keep himself from rocking.

We No Speak · July-30th-2005, 03:50 PM

I first saw Larry with Alphonse Mouzon and the 11th House at Keystone Korner in San Francisco. Here's a few Larry Coryell goodies from way back when:

1970_02_26_220
Jack_Bruce_and_Friends
Larry_Coryell
Mitch_Mitchell
Mike_Mandell

Johnny_Winter
Mountain
Eric_Mercury_w_Birthrite

1970_04_16_228
John_Mayall
Larry_Coryell
Argent

craigz · July-30th-2005, 04:06 PM

I haven't heard Coryell play in years, but I really liked the duo guitar things he did in the late '70s, and he played a number of great solo acoustic gigs in my area around '80 or '81, one of which was at my college. For the last number, he would usually play electric and leave the guitar screaming on the stage as he walked off. However, though I'm almost ashamed to admit it, my favorite Coryell solo is from Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting on the Mingus album nobody likes, Me Myself An Eye. Mingus was too sick to play, but it was the first album of his that I bought after his death in '77, and I still enjoy it to this day.