Jazz Articles about Larry Coryell

Larry Coryell: Shining Hour

by C. Andrew Hovan
May 1, 1999

The fact that guitarist Larry Coryell is such a well-known luminary when it comes to the fusion movement of the '70s obscures the fact that he is one hell of a “straight ahead" player as well. During the '80s, Coryell was able to document his more traditional chops on a series of four dates he led for the Muse label. Shining Hour, from 1989, couldn't be a better showcase for the guitarist and it's a fine choice for reissue. Obviously, ...

Larry Coryell: Shining Hour

by Douglas Payne
April 1, 1999

Guitarist Larry Coryell has successfully explored a surprisingly wide variety of creative music since he hit the scene in 1965. But the four albums he made for Muse Records between 1984 and 1989 were notable as some of the first full recordings of his straight-ahead jazz playing. In each case, Coryell's superb, seamless playing is featured in a piano quartet. The fourth and final of Coryell's Muse releases, 1989's Shining Hour , is reissued here by 32 Jazz with a ...

Larry Coryell, Tom Coster, Steve Smith: Cause and Effect

by Ed Kopp
October 1, 1998

Pioneering fusion guitarist Larry Coryell has dabbled in many styles: straight-ahead jazz, psychedelic jazz-rock, classical, gentle acoustic music, Indian music, Brazilian jazz and pop-jazz. Coryell's embrace of disparate styles has resulted in several inferior albums, but I'm happy to report that Cause and Effect is not one of them. This is an impressive return to the guitarist's fusion roots, and his playing is incredible throughout.Coryell cranks up the decibels to heavy-metal range and rocks out with authority here. ...

Larry Coryell, Steve Smith, Tom Coster: Cause and Effect

by Glenn Astarita
September 1, 1998

Legendary guitar genius Larry Coryell has reclaimed some of his early roots here with an explosive new cd on Tone Center records. Backed by stalwart session men Steve Smith (drums) and Tom Coster (kbrds) this is the stuff that Coryell admirers have been waiting for, especially after some recent and relatively sedate “smooth jazz" ventures.

Coryell was among the handful of jazz pioneers who ventured into experimental dabblings with jazz-rock and psychedelia. His classic collaborations with John McLaughlin, Mike Brecker ...

Don Sebesky: I Remember Bill (A Tribute To Bill Evans)

by Douglas Payne
June 1, 1998

Veteran arranger Don Sebesky crafts an often-glowing portrait of famed jazz pianist Bill Evans in this quite welcome orchestral jazz tribute. While he is too often derided (and unfairly) as the guy who mucked up Wes Montgomery and other CTI stars with strings and horn sections, Sebesky often presents subtle arrangements that offer keen respect for a soloist's musicianship. When a listener notices Sebesky's work, it's often in the occasional punctuation mark or interesting sound combinations he creates. But it's ...

Larry Coryell: Major Jazz Minor Blues

by Jim Santella
April 1, 1998

From an artist whose career has spanned jazz-rock, electric fusion, and mainstream jazz, this straight-ahead session from 55-year old guitarist Larry Coryell is a welcome chapter. Backed by piano, bass and drums, four of the guitarist's 1980's Muse recordings are revisited to produce this album of re-issued material; the ten tracks come from Toku-Do, Equipoise, Shining Hour, and Comin' Home. Pianists Stanley Cowell, Kenny Barron, and Albert Dailey provide doubled melody lines, bop-derived solo work, and varied accompaniment. Bassists Buster ...