Blogging Ottinger (tim)

I got two CDs at the same time (from CdConnection.com). The first is Stanley Clarke And Friends: Live At The Greek, and the other is the Japanese export of Larry Carlton’s Fire Wire.

I listened to the Clarke album first, and it is as wonderful as you would expect, coming from such an all-star band and featuring some great standards (”All Blues”, “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”, “School Days”, etc). It was against this backdrop that I listened to Fire Wire, and it suffered a little by comparison. Certainly it would be hard to follow Stanley&Friends.

The first listening had me wondering what Larry was up to, especially with the third song “Naked Truth”. It is almost celtic played with some buzzy distorted overdrive, and goes “naked” (unaccompanied) for a while before kicking in some supporting drums and keys. It’s more down-tempo and “straight” than a lot of the music on the album. I was surprised to hear it so early in the album, I think.

After a second listening I realized that this album really is something wonderful. It’s not like other guitar-centric albums. It’s certainly a long walk from work with jazz standards, the polished finesse of his light jazz work, or the Lukather shredfests. It’s simpler and still has a profound feel. These may be the new standards down the road. And I can sure imagine Dirty Donna’s House Party taking its place in the next two-guitar jam album.

The Sapphire Blue horn section comes along with Larry this time. I think it’s a good choice. They really do add some punch to the sound. I’m a sucker for a good horn section in a rockin’ band (hence my love for Five Iron Frenzy).

I try not to compare Larry Carlton to other guitarists, even when he plays side-by-side with them (Larry & Lee (Ritenour), No Substitutions (with Steve Lukather). I was resisting the urge to compare Larry with Jeff Beck while listening to this album.

While some cats are turning out echoes of earlier work, Larry Carlton is turning out albums like Sapphire Blue and Fire Wire. Far from threadbare, I think he’s making music as good or better than ever. I’m looking forward to somehow catching him live in concert.

Now is a good time to become a Larry fan.