Search - Larry Coryell :: Improvisations: Best of

Excellent compo

Worgelm | United States | 12/13/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There are those who are recommending the more concise _Essential Coryell_ - but its all contained here. I hear a lot of "unnecessary" and "dated" being used to describe this stuff. People - jazz fusion itself is a dated genre. Let's not throw out the Mahavishnu with the bathwater just because you don't like the synth tones, 'kay ?Disc 1 displays the more eclectic and contemplative side of Coryell, with some straight-ahead jazz, blues, and classical influences. "Lady Coryell" in particular is an interesting composition, with Coryell's subdued tones contrasting with angular, somewhat dissonant riffing. "Rene's Theme" from the superb _Spaces_ also appears here, with Coryell trading furious acoustic riffs with John McLaughlin. Disc 2 seems to be more oriented towards the shred audience - the playing is far more aggressive, almost Hendrix-ian at times. The furious three-way battles between trumpet, keyboard and Coryell's slashing guitar on "Yin" is a definite highlight of this set, and most reminiscent of latter-day Mahavishnu Orchestra (around _Visions of The Emerald Beyond_)or Return To Forever. "The Jam With Albert" and "Entardecendo En Saudade" from _Live At The Village Gate_ are also excellent Hendrix-meets-jazz numbers and display a side of Coryell fans of side 1 may not be prepared for.All in all a good disc; although his impact on jazz as a whole may be questionable, Coryell's contributions to the fusion genre are undebatable and this is an excellent, comprehensive taste of what he had to offer. Highly recommended to any fans of 70s fusion."

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CORYELLFAN | UNITED STATES | 12/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great anthology of larry coryell's early groundbreaking Jazz fusion recordings. Vanguard has been criminal over the years in the contrary way they have reissued larry coryell's early solo recordings and recordings with Eleventh house on cd, but this anthology more than makes up for this. This anthology combines the best of his early work from coryell and lady coryell albums all the way up to his work with eleventh house on the way it showcases his work with musicians like Bernard purdie,Chuck rainey Chick corea, John mclaughlin and of course Eleventh House ( Mike mandel Micheal Lawrence randy brecker danny trifan and Alphonse mouzon. The tracks have all been remastered for release and include liner notes by Sam Graham & Josef Woodward."

Mixed Bag

Gregory Edwards | 01/04/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation contains some of the best jazz guitar ever in songs like Scotland I, the Jam with Albert and Yin. Unfortunately it also digs up silly tripe like Eyes of Love, Planet End, Adam Smasher and Rene's Theme. The shorter compilation, the Essential Larry Coryell is less expensive, more consistent and manifestly superior to this double CD."