Search - Jeff Larson :: Complete Works 1998 - 2000

A fantastic collection-worth the wait!

Daniel Muhs | Boulder, Colorado | 05/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It has only been recently that I learned about Jeff Larson and his music, but what a nice discovery. It took Amazon a while to get this album (because it's an import), but let me assure you, it is well worth the wait. Jeff's style (as noted by others) at times reminds you of the Beach Boys, America, Jackson Browne, Dan Fogelberg, or the Desert Rose Band. Still, he is his own man. His music is great and is as refreshing as a California breeze. This marvelous collection combines his excellent "Room for Summer" (2000) and "Watercolor Sky" (1998) CDs, but also has a whopping 20 bonus tracks of alternative mixes, unreleased tunes, and demos. The two released CDs in this collection have been given high marks by other reviewers (and I certainly agree with their assessments), so I won't repeat their comments. Suffice to say, both albums are great. However, the bonus tracks in this collection are marvelous, too. Sometimes "previously unreleased" tracks were not released for a reason--they were demos, outtakes, or something not quite up to par. That is NOT the case here. These are gems. Some of the tracks are vocals-only versions of other songs, but this serves to highlight his great voice and those of his collaborators, particularly his friend Jeffrey Foskett (of Brian Wilson Band fame, and a great musician in his own right). They are all great tunes and some are just a lot of fun. "Traditional Longboard" is a rocking guitar instrumental in the old Dick Dale tradition. Jeff and Jeffrey must have had a blast recording this and you can feel it in the music. Jeff does two great covers (as a vocals only and with full instrumental tracks) of the old Jan and Dean tune "Summer Means Fun". Other tunes are in his more recent style of soft rock, with shimmering guitars and sweet harmonies. This is, overall, a fantastic album and I recommend it highly. You won't be disappointed."