Talmage Farlow

Jazz guitarist Talmage "Tal" Farlow (1921-98) was at the peak of his powers when he abruptly retired from the music scene in 1959 to become a sign painter in picturesque Sea Bright, New Jersey. Or so the story goes. The truth, according to this interesting 1981 documentary from producer-director Lorenzo DeStefano, is rather less romantic. While Farlow did leave the national scene for a few years, he continued to perform locally, and made recordings for Prestige, Concord, and other labels, which reveal that he retained much of his mastery right through his later years. And mastery is the word for it: gifted with enormous hands and a fat, round tone, Farlow made his name in the '40s and '50s, most notably with vibraphonist Red Norvo but with a host of other players as well. Inspired by pioneering electric guitarist Charlie Christian, Farlow played fast, edgy bebop with an unerring sense of swing, but it wasn't easy, and here he uses words like "uncomfortable" and "physically painful" to describe the intense pressure he felt to constantly live up to his potential and always play at his absolute best (what's more, he had no love of the limelight). In addition to interviews with Farlow and others (including fellow stringmeisters George Benson and Lenny Breau), the film captures a comeback of sorts at New York's Village Gate, where Farlow holds forth with bassist Red Mitchell and pianist Tommy Flanagan (bonus footage of this trio practicing in a New York loft is a treat). An entertaining tribute to a too-little-known jazz great, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Graham)