Jazz Articles about Tommy Bolin

About Tommy Bolin

Reassessing

Was it jazz or rock? This was (is) the eternal question about fusion. Back in the 1970s when the Mahavishnu Orchestra pioneered the genre, the electric and chaotic unpredictability of the John McLaughlin-led outfit cut across what was thought to be basic jazz concepts by displaying loud electric guitar riffing over what could stand for prog rock organ, bass and drum. And shockingly, none of the original players blew into their instruments. But Mahavishnu McLaughlin was as cruel ...

Album Review

Tommy Bolin: The Definitive Teaser Collector’s Edition

Read "The Definitive Teaser Collector’s Edition" reviewed by Doug Collette

by Doug Collette
November 3, 2012

Guitarist Tommy Bolin elevated the role of journeyman to a high art. After leaving his home in Colorado, where he played with Energy and Zephyr, he worked with fusion drummers Billy Cobham and Alphonse Mouzon, joined a post-Joe Walsh James Gang, and went on to Deep Purple when Richie Blackmore left the group. All of this occurred before and during a solo career, which began with Teaser, a remastered, expanded version that confirms Bolin's versatility as guitarist, songwriter and singer. ...

134

Album Review

Tommy Bolin & Friends: Live At Ebbets Field 1974

Read "Live At Ebbets Field 1974" reviewed by John W. Patterson

by John W. Patterson
March 1, 2000

After his stint with femme-vox driven, Zeppelinesque Zephyr and during his days with James Gang, Tommy Bolin managed to get together with some friends and jam out for two nights in June of 1974. From Denver, Colorado, Bolin and crew blasted the night skies with high-speed, ferocious, and free-spirited blues-rock. Yeah, there was even some jazz-rock fusion sprinkled liberally in each night. Sample “You Know, You Know”, “Homeward Strut”, “Stratus”, and the Santana-flavored “Crazed Fandango” for Bolin’s 70's-bred fusion.