Sunday Music Muse Day - John McLaughlin, Stephane Grappelli with Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine

This Sunday Music Muse day has me visiting several favorite guitarists and a true legend of jazz violin with a French connection.  First up, John McLaughlin The Heart of Things - Live in Paris.  This is live date featuring the material and almost the same personal of the studio CD of the same name.  I have to admit it's not the most memorable of McLaughlin's recordings, but still worth a listen.

My second selection is Stephane Grappelli Young Django, a CD in tribute to Django Reinhardt, the legendary gypsy jazz guitarist that with Stephane Grappelli performed in the Quintette du Hot Club de France in the 1920s and 30s as the most influential band in history of  European jazz. Django's playing definitely inspired the two guitarists here, Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine, who "chose the tunes for this record...some of Django's and Stephane's most beautiful compositions." I remember seeing a vinyl record of this in a import section back in the 70's but it was too expensive for my poor starving artist budget at the time. It's nice to finally own.

Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Larry Coyrell Twin-House and Tributaries

This Sunday Music Muse day finds us again suffering from a overcast cloudy day.  Still, the best way to survive it is with good music.  This week's selections are two CDs by Larry Coryell bought to replace vinyl records I plan to sell in my continuing effort to declutter.  I'm trying to refrain from buying CDs of many of the records I  have since doing so would be counter to decluttering.  There is the issue that some of my favorite vinyl were nothing released as CDs, as least in the U.S.  Both of these Coryell CDs as a examples of that. Larry Coryell - Philip Catherine Twin House features the full original record plus five cut from duo's Splendid record, so this like is getting a double album.  The CD was produced and released on a German label ACT, and they mentioned "the records were never before released on CD".  Twin-House and Splendid are two of my favorite Coryell records.  In many ways prefer his duet and trio recording, many acoustic, over his electric group recordings.

Next is Larry Coryell Tributaries with John Scofield and Joe Beck.  Scofield is one my favorite jazz guitarist, and Joe Beck in a legend in jazz guitar. As with Hot-House this CD is a foreign release, produced in Japan, although there was a domestic CD but it didn't have the original cover graphic I liked.  The only downside of being foreign release is I can't read the Japanese liner notes. The music is as great as I remember and that the most important thing. 

I know my buddy Rodney Means will enjoy revisiting the Larry Coryell gems.  It was Rodney who introduced me to Larry Coryell's music. That's what good friends are for, sharing good music and opening our horizons.  I hope I can be a friend like to all of you.  Enjoy.