Search - Larry Coryell :: Barefoot Boy

Great to see this available on CD!

Steven P. Smith | Loudonville, New York United States | 02/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was privileged to see Larry Coryell several times in New York during the years that they recorded "Barefoot Boy." This studio album comes as close to a live performance as any I have ever heard. "Barefoot Boy" is, hands down, THE BEST Coryell you'll ever hear. He has evolved through many phases, and is still quite active today, but the late 60's--early 70's Coryell remains his finest. This music is called "jazz-rock fusion," but it is much more jazz than rock. For sheer wailing power, you can't beat it. If you only buy one CD this year, make it this one.
P.S. If you've listened to some recent Coryell and find it, shall we say, a little sedate, take a leap of faith and get "Barefoot Boy." You won't be disappointed."

Hands Down, Bare Foot Boy is a Classic

T. E. Lovato | Albuquerque, New Mexico USA | 10/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A lesser-known but essential fusion record. Few have touched the energy of jazz-rock cosmic explorations more than Larry Coryell during his alcohol fueled mid-70s heyday. In the spirit of Mahavishnu Orchestra's "Inner Mounting Flame" or Return To Forever's "Light as a Feather", "Barefoot Boy " thrusts the listener into a organic ebb and tide of electric explosion and jazz introspection. Backed by the solid and funky rhythm section of drummer Roy Haynes, bassist Mervin Bronson, Coryell and soprano sax player Steve Marcus trade scorching sequences of notes.

The album's first track, "Gypsy Queen", is a cosmic spin-off of Gabor Szabo's composition. "The Great Escape" is rooted in deep funk and an unorthodox rhythm pattern. Timed at just long that 20 minutes, "Call to Higher Consciouness" exposes the band's dynamism. The melodic slow burning track lives up it's name. Barefoot Boy is essential for any complete jazz fusion or guitar hero collection."

Steve Marcus Burns; Coryell Rocks; Classic as Classic gets

T. E. Lovato | 07/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For years I thought The Eleventh House was the best ever Coryell fusion recording but I was wrong, this one beats it. This one has more soul, more feeling, more raw energy, less goofy licks & cheesy breaks, an untouchable coolness & the awe-inspiring saxophone of Steve Marcus aka "The Count." Forget Santana, the best ever version of Gabor Szabo's "Gypsy Queen" kicks things off with such a tremendous energetic groove & such an incredible saxopohone solo that it makes you wonder if Coryell, Haynes & Marcus can match it for the whole record. Rest assured that they do. "The Great Escape" features Coryell's most angular groove solo ever, a guitar frenzy that seems to go nuts on itself & scrunchplow back & go nuts again. There's nothing laid-back you see, it's very much jazz-level chops with rock attitude but at the same time the usual spaztic tendencies of fusion are kept beautifully in check & understated. All self-indulgence is completely necessary to make the tunes really whup & nothing is overdone. The last tune "Call to Higher Consciousness" combines a meditative feel & atmosphere with lighning brushfires of feral guitar & curlicued flights of psychedelic saxophone, again being relaxed & completely dangerous & unpredictable at the same time. All jazz & fusion fans should get this immediately, without any hesitation whatsoever, it's one of the top 10 fusion albums of 1970s."