Larry Carlton - Singing-Playing (1973)

 (U.S 1962 - Present)

Welcome to one of the rarest albums by a guitarist whose session work appears on more records than probably even he can remember! Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, The Crusaders, Al Jarreau, Minnie Fliperton, Ftandy Crawford, Christopher Cross, Bill Withers, Gap Mangione, Paul Anka, Michael McDonald, Mike Post, Barbra Streisand and many others have utilised his talents.

Larry Carlton was born on 2nd March 1948 in Torrance, California. Musically gifted from an early age, he was a great admirer of the great jazz guitarists like Wes Montgomery, Howard Roberts, Barney Kessel and Joe Pass - in fact Larry almost left college in his teens to replace Joe Pass in George Shearing's quintet.

Early musical employment included a spell in Disneyland's house band, a spell at NBC TV as a staff music writer in 1969, and numerous sessions - to quote one source: "three sessions a day, five days a week, and commanding triple-scale rates".

Larry Carlton (Centre) with the 
Crusaders

This, his first album recorded for Blue Thumb Records in 1973 (and later re-issued by MCA in 1980), introduced his own individual style of playing the Gibson 335 guitar, as well as featuring his singing on six of the eight tracks (on his later albums the vocals would become less of a feature). Relatively unknown writers provided the six songs (although "I Cry Mercy" was written and recorded by Smith Perkins Smith, an Island Records group whose guitarist Wayne Perkins was briefly touted to replace Mick Taylor in The Rolling Stones).

The trademark 'Carlton' guitar sound is evident throughout, as is his toneless singing. The tracks here have a more earthy feel, as opposed to the over-produced stylings he would later employ; however, the overall results are disappointing. The guitar playing is certainly impressive (especially the distortion-filled "Free Way"), but sadly there is not enough of it. Regardless, this is an interesting part of Carlton's beginnings and there are enough moments here that foreshadow his evolvement into one of the most distinctive voices in the history of electric guitar.

He was backed by some of the best session players of the day, with The Crusaders accompanying him on the two instrumental cuts. Inspired no doubt by these recordings, the long-established Jazz group recruited Carlton to their ranks and he featured on several of their mid-seventies albums, most notably "Those Southern Knights" in 1976. At the same time, along with The Crusaders and several others of the session alumni on this album he played on Joni Mitchell's commercial breakthrough albums "Court And Spark" and "The Hissing Of Summer Lawns", though arguably Larry's best playing for Mitchell is to be found on "Hejira".

Around this time he also played on Steely Dan albums, being responsible for the staggering boundary-defying solo on "Kid Charlemagne" on the "Royal Scam" album. The fluidity of his playing and the tastefulness with which he explores previously uncharted guitar territory is only rivalled by that of Lee Ritenour.

Larry left The Crusaders in 1977 to resume his solo recording career, and thus missed out on playing on their top 10 album and top 5 single "Street Life" in 1979. His debut album for Warner Brothers "Larry Carlton" was released in August 1978 and featured the instant classic "Point It Up", an instrumental which also featured on "Mr 335 Live - ln Japan". More excellent albums followed for Warner Brothers and MCA, winning him a brace of Grammies on the way, and Larry is currently with Dave Grusin's GRP Records.

ln 1988, he disturbed an intruder at his studio, who shot him in the neck. Emergency operations ensued, but thankfully after physiotherapy he eventually made a complete recovery, and returned to recording and touring. His most recent project has been the long-anticipated collaboration with Lee Ritenour, "Larry And Lee", having been released in spring 1995 on GRP Records.

This album is a snapshot of a young developing guitarist before he released those brilliant trilogy of jazz fusion albums for Warner Brothers (see the first of these on my blog HERE). 

This post consists of FLACS ripped from CD (quality is far superior to my vinyl copy, even though it is a Japanese release), and includes full album artwork for both media.  

Tracklist

01 Easy Evil  4:57

02 I Cry Mercy  3:15

03 One More Chance  3:13

04 With Respect to Coltrane  5:53

05 American Family  4:03

06 Wavin' and Smilin'  3:01

07 Captain, Captain  3:28

08 Free Way  6:15

Line-up/Musicians:
Backing Vocals – Chris Nelson, Julia Tillman Waters, Maxine Willard Waters, Oma Drake
Bass – Joe Osborne, Max Bennett, Reinie Press, Wilton Felder

Drums – "Stix" Hooper, Jim Gordon, John Guerin, Ron Tutt
Electric Piano – Joe Sample
Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Vibraphone, Percussion, Producer – Larry Carlton
Keyboards – Michael Omartian
Percussion – Alan Estes, Michael Mills

Larry Carlton Link (177Mb) New Link 05/09/2023

Larry Carlton - Discovery (1987)

(U.S 1962 - Present)
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Perhaps more than any other guitar player, Larry Carlton helped create and define the West Coast guitar sound of the 70's, having played on over 3000 sessions and over 100 gold albums by such stars as Steely Dan, Quincy Jones, Joni Mitchell, Linda Rondstadt, John Lennon, Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond and Christopher Cross. Larry's talents stretched into television, garnering four Grammy nominations, winning with Mike Post for "Hill Street Blues." His soundtrack credits include "Against All Odds."

Carlton gained distinction for the unmistakable and often imitated "sweet" sound he delivered with his Gibson ES-335. He also broke new ground with his new trademark volume pedal technique, eloquently displayed in his featured performance on ­ Crusader One with legendary jazz/rock group The Crusaders in 1971.

During his tenure with The Crusaders (through to 1976), Carlton performed on 13 of their albums, often contributing material. In 1973, Carlton released his second solo project, 'Singing/Playing', on Blue Thumb Records ­ aptly titled, as he not only played guitar, but also performed vocals on eight tracks.

Before he transitioned completely to a solo career, Carlton became one of the most in-demand studio musicians of the past three decades.
As his association with the Crusaders began to draw to a close, Carlton signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1977. Between ’78 and ’84, Larry recorded six solo albums for Warner Bros. Records:  Mr. 335: Live In Japan, Friends; Eight Times Up; Sleep Walk; Strikes Twice; Larry Carlton. The latter self-titled album was released hot on the heels of his debut session with rock supergroup Steely Dan. Rolling Stone magazine lists Carlton’s tasty ascent on Steely Dan’s Kid Charlemagne as one of the three best guitar licks in rock music.

After thirteen albums with the legendary Crusaders and numerous Steely Dan sessions, Larry's solo career has expanded his worldwide reputation as an artist/producer of great sensitivity and high standards. In 1985 he was approached by the newly formed MCA Master Series to consider doing an acoustic jazz album. His first release for the new label was 'Alone, But Never Alone', a consensus No. 1 album on the Radio & Records and Billboard Jazz charts.

Larry continued studio session work and touring in between, emerging again in 1986 on MCA Records with an all-acoustic album, 'Discovery', which contained an instrumental remake of Michael McDonald’s hit, "Minute by Minute." The single won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1987. Carlton’s live album, Last Nite, released in 1987, got him a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance.
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This post consists of FLACs ripped from my prized 'MINT' vinyl and includes artwork for both vinyl and CD, plus label scans.  I was ecstatic when I found this album in amongst a pile of classical albums at a garage sale recently, still sealed in its shrink wrap and still as new as the day it was first pressed. What makes this find even better is the quality of the pressing - a special Audiophile custom pressing using premium virgin vinyl as part of the MCA Master Series.  The quality of the recording is amazing and Larry has once again demonstrated why he is considered to be the king of the West  Coast guitar sound.  As much as the Doobie's cover "Minute by Minute" is the highlight of the album (on which Michael McDonald plays keyboard), the remaining tracks hold their own making this one of Larry's best acoustic releases.
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Track Listing

01. Hello Tomorrow
02. Those Eyes
03. Knock On Wood
04. Discovery
05. My Home Away From Home
06. March Of The Jazz Angels
07. Minute By Minute
08. A Place For Skipper
09. Her Favorite Song

Acoustic Guitar: Larry Carlton
Keyboards: Terry Trotter
Bass: John Pena
Drums: Rick Marotta
Percussion: Michael Fisher
Sax Solos: Kirk Whalum
Keyboard on "Minute By Minute": Michael McDonald
Horn Section: Jerry Hey and Gary Grant (Trumpets) with Larry Williams on Woodwinds
Vocals by Larry, David Pack and Michele Pillar
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Larry Carlton FLAC Link (250Mb)  New Link 26/02/2024

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Larry Carlton- Selftitled (1978) + Bonus Live Track

(U.S 1962-Present)
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Larry Carlton began taking guitar lessons when he was six. His first professional gig was at a supper club in 1962. After hearing Joe Pass on the radio, he was inspired to play jazz and blues. Wes Montgomery and Barney Kessel became important influences soon after he discovered the jazz guitar stylings of Pass.

B.B. King and other blues guitarists had an impact on Carlton's style as well. He honed his guitar-playing skills in the clubs and studios of greater Los Angeles. He attended a local junior college and Long Beach State College for a year until the Vietnam War ended. Carlton toured with the Fifth Dimension in 1968 and began doing studio sessions in 1970. His early session work included studio dates with pop musicians like Vicki Carr, Andy Williams and the Partridge Family. In 1971, he was asked to join the Crusaders shortly after they'd decided to drop the word "Jazz'' from their name, and he remained with the group until 1976. In between tours with the Crusaders, he also did studio session work for hundreds of recordings in every genre. But it was while he with the Crusaders that he developed the highly rhythmic, often bluesy style he has now. His credits include performing on more than 100 gold albums. His theme music credits for TV and films include Against All Odds, Who's the Boss, and the theme for Hill Street Blues. The latter won a Grammy award in 1981 for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.

Carlton delivered his selftitled debut for Warner Bros. in 1978, shortly after he was recognized for his ground-breaking guitar playing on Steely Dan's Royal Scam album. (Carlton contributed the memorable guitar solo on "Kid Charlemagne.'') He released four more albums for Warner Bros., Strikes Twice (1980), Sleepwalk (1981), Eight Times Up (1982), and the Grammy-nominated Friends (1983), before being dropped from the label.

He continued studio session work and touring in between, emerging again in 1986 on MCA Records with an all-acoustic album, Discovery, which contained an instrumental remake of the Doobie Brother's hit, "Minute by Minute." The single won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1987. Carlton's live album, 'Last Nite', released in 1987, got him a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance.

While working on his next album for MCA, On Solid Ground, Carlton was the victim of random gun violence, and was shot in the throat by gun-wielding juveniles outside Room 335, his private studio near Burbank, California. The bullet shattered his vocal cord and caused significant nerve trauma, but through intensive therapy and a positive frame of mind, Carlton completed work on On Solid Ground in 1989. Carlton formed Helping Innocent People (HIP), a non-profit group to aid victims of random gun violence. [extract from playjazzguitar.com]
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From 1994 to 1997 Carlton participated in various tours (notably with Toto guitarist Steve Lukather) and released an album (Larry & Lee). In 1997, Carlton took Lee Ritenour's place in Fourplay.
In 2000, Carlton furthered his solo career with Fingerprints. His career received another boost the following year when his live performance with Lukather, No Substitutions: Live in Osaka, garnered his third Grammy. Carlton's more recent work included Deep Into It, Sapphire Blue, and Firewire.

At the beginning of 2007, Carlton released two CDs. A live recording together with blues guitarist Robben Ford, 'Live in Tokyo', and 'The Jazz King' album. The Jazz King record is the result of a composition Carlton wrote for H. M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. The Jazz King project was initiated to celebrate the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol's accession to the throne as well as his 80th birthday in 2007. Carlton was commissioned to write this composition by the Royal Project Foundation and Rotary Club of Bangkok. These compositions were released on CD only in Thailand, the net proceeds of the CD will be used to support the indigenous hill-tribe children of Thailand. Carlton's compositions for this Jazz King project resulted in a concert held on January 28, 2007 at BEC-Tero Hall, Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Bangkok.
In July, August and September 2009, Carlton joined Steely Dan as guest guitarist for six dates in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

In June 2010 Carlton released Take Your Pick, an album made with Tak Matsumoto. [extract from wikipedia]
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Larry Carlton and the Yellowjackets
Although advances in instrumental technology have given their music a high-gloss polish, both Larry Carlton, the guitarist, and the quartet Yellowjackets, who shared the bill at the Beacon Theater on Thursday, fit firmly into the jazz-fusion category. The primary stylistic influence on both acts is pop-soul music. Mr. Carlton, a demure, supple guitarist, led a quintet of drums, bass, keyboards and saxophone in which Kirk Whelum's vigorous rhythm-and-blues horn solos helped to offset Mr. Carlton's tendency toward blandness.
The program included a well-manicured rendition of the 60's hit ''Knock On Wood,'' the theme from ''Hill Street Blues,'' a rework of "Room 335" and ''Kid Charlemagne,'' a flashback to the guitarist's days with Steely Dan. While very homogenized, the music maintained enough textural variation to avoid seeming formulaic.

The Yellowjackets - Russell Ferrante, keyboardist; Marc Russo, alto saxophonist; Jimmy Haslip, bassist, and William Kennedy, drummer -played a set that was more dramatically colored and technologically flashy. The quartet's music also maintained a solid rhythm-and-blues footing, but its instrumental tangents, especially those featuring synchronous electronic-acoustic rhythms and shifting textures generated by Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Ferrante, brought in tasty Brazilian and Caribbean inflections. A glowing light show underscored the music's upbeat lyricism. [review from the New York Times, 20 sept, 1987]

.This rip was taken from CD at 320kps and includes some artwork along with a bonus track recorded with the Yellow Jackets at the Montreau Jazz Festival in 1987. I remember buying this LP when it was first released and knew nothing about Larry Carlton or his involvement with the Crusaders. I was heavily into Al Di Meola at the time, so when I heard it being played at my local 'import store' in Carlton, I was intrigued to know who this new 'jazz rock guitarist' was. Thirty years later, I still get that buzz when I listen to this album. Enjoy!
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Track Listing
01  Room 335
02  Where Did You Come From
03  Nite Crawler
04  Point It Up
05  Rio Samba
06  I Apologize
07  Don´t Give It Up
08  (It Was) Only Yesterday
09  Room 335 (Bonus Live 1987)
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Band Members:
Electric Guitar, Vocals - Larry Carlton
Electric Bass - Abraham Laboriel
Drums - Jeff Porcaro
Keyboards - Greg Mathieson
Percussion - Paulinho Da Costa
Backing Vocals - William "Smitty" Smith
Producer - Larry Carlton
* Bonus Track with the Yellow Jackets
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.Larry Carlton (112Mb) New Link 24/12/2023
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