Larry Coryell: A Retrospective (A Sequel to His Story)

Larry Coryell is a great guitarist, as well as a jazz-rock fusion pioneer, so why—over the course of a four-decades long career—hasn't he enjoyed the popularity and commercial success of players like John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, and Pat Metheny? Daniel Mesa, who wrote the liner notes for this two-disc set, suggests several factors: "poor representation, his inability to be held to one specific genre, or quite simply, fate turning its ugly head." All good possibilities, but the truth is that some of Coryell's wounds have been self-inflicted--few of his dozens of records stand out, and all the genre-hopping (straight jazz, fusion, New Age-y acoustic, and so on) suggests versatility, yes, but also an inability to musically define himself. This three-hour two-disc package (the bonus disc contains lots of rehearsal footage and interview material), presenting a concert recorded in 2005 in Los Angeles, covers the good, the bad, and the ugly over the course of a dozen-plus-song set. At his best (like "Half a Heart" and ""Dragon Gate"), Coryell writes tunes with appealing melodies that combine jazz and rock elements to brilliant effect, and he's also a fine blues player ("Slow Blues" finds him trading licks with Los Lobos guitarist David Hidalgo). Not so hot are the moments when he reverts to the sloppy, as-many-notes-as-fast-as-possible excess of his younger days, and as for his singing…let's just say it's not his strength. His band here includes his son Julian on guitar (his tone and style suggest a jazzier Duane Allman), along with legendary drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, and electric bass player John Hart—the latter duo making for a funky, R&B-flavored rhythm section (James Valentine of Maroon 5 also sits in on guitar). Presented with excellent Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, this is a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (S. Graham)