LARRY CORYELL | The Godfather of Jazz Rock | Album Ranking 1968-78

[@jimsmith1930]

It's great to see Larry Coryell getting some deserved kudos and love. I followed him since the early 70's when I luckily came across Offering and was totally blown away with the musicians the compositions, and the unbelievable guitar playing. I was beginning to feel like my judgement is off because he wasn't being recognized like his contemporaries. Thanks for confirming everything I thought about Larry Coryell. I like the order of the albums especially Offering and Barefoot Boy as the top two. European Impressions is an amazing little known acoustic work that even Tommy Emmanuel fans could appreciate.

[@jdmresearch]

I re-discovered Larry Coryell because of this channel. Favorite album so far: Lady Coryell. I guess just because it was so ahead of its time, though I agree it is somewhat 'tentative' at times. But the title track, I LOVE the guitar there. That said, my all-time favorite track is Low-Tee-Tah, from "Introducing Eleventh House with Larry Coryell" Those arpeggios, mesmerizing. Anyway, *thank you Andy!*

[@TedBurke]

I saw Larry Coryell ten times or so over three decades and have never changed my conviction that he was one of the most important guitarist in jazz history. He was nearly untouchable; his technique was boundless and his expression was revolutionary. You do a fine job of stating his strengths and hear you elevating your already high estimation of him even more. As you said, he maintained his capacity to surprise you. He is the godfather of fusion, yes, but I'd say he's also the godfather of shred guitar. Players from VanHalen, Satriani and Malmsteen staked their advancements on the complications LC brought to guitar soloing. Nice job, Andy.

[@Birdlives247]

I saw Larry Coryell in 1971. It was a power trio at The Main Point, a small club in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. (It was so small that the audience at the front tables could rest their feet on the stage.) It was like Jimi Hendrix. Incredible!

[@trevorhoward2254]

You got a Bryn Mawr in America, too? Amazing!

[@Birdlives247]

@@trevorhoward2254Yep, it's Welsh.

[@deanoppergoalieclinics834]

Andy,start by saying this was a well done is dedication to the great Larry Coryell! I remember seeing Larry in a cold winter night in Chicago,he asked me how I was,and I said not too well,my mother just passed. Later in the show he said he was going to dedicate a song,and he did 'Pavane Une Infante Defunte' which he said he hadn't played in 30 years ffrom 'The Restful Mind',I was blown quite blown away,what a person he was...And I might add Larry had some amazing music at the later stages in his career as well.'Live From Bajia',Spaces Revisited',pull up the song 'Dragon Gate', there are more,you had me laughing at the end Andy!!!

[@tylerboley1786]

So happy to see this post. As a kid in the formative Northwest rock era, Larry was a big presence in the Dynamics, a top Seattle band. Later in college Spaces was in regular rotation along with everything from Creedance 🤮 to Bitches Brew. He was initially in the Guitar trio with Paco de Lucía and John McLaughlin before Al Di Meola replaced him. There is some of that live here on the tubes and it’s wonderful. There is an unmistakable edge to his playing that sets him above. Thanks for this video

[@markcapofari8419]

Been waiting for years for this homage Been a fan for years - saw him multiple times in various modes and groups A great artist a pioneer

[@barryparris91]

I'm surprised at your reaction to "Spaces". I bought the album in 1970 (with the original cover that was a picture of Larry, not the garish crapola cover of later issues). I've always liked the album. "Wrong Is Right" is one of those tunes that will start playing in my head out of nowhere... 54 years after I first heard it.

[@pauldecoster]

I met Larry at Guitar Camp in Kent, CT in 1985. He was not only an incredible player, he took the time to jam with the students and talk with them. He was genuinely interested in what the students were doing.

[@northcarolinavinylpicker]

I worked last year buying all his albums. Great list. I’m missing the following. Larry coryell, basics, difference, standing. I made a video on him. Take care Lov your show. Art

[@junglejim70]

Todd Rundgren had a funny story with Larry Coryell as part of the punchline. In 1972 on the success of his album Something/Anything, Todd’s management arranged an afternoon get together with Brian Willson (a play date). Todd went to Brian’s house. Brian played some new music he was working on, and they discussed music. In the evening Brian said he wanted to go out. Todd suggested going to hear Larry Coryell who was playing at the Troubadour. They go to the show. Larry is playing his jazz/rock fusion. Brian becomes more and more agitated. He goes on stage, grabs a mic, and begins singing Be Bop a-Lula in a completely different key and tempo. Larry looks up and sees it’s Brian Wilson and starts to try and play along. Brian’s handler comes up and takes him home. Todd stayed to see the rest of the show.

[@stevemacarthur9660]

Good day to you, Captain Andy - I agree that LC doesn't get enough props - he is an amazing player. Ditto for Oregon (and all the off-shoots - and there are many, many) - I think a deep dive would be a fun project - they are fascinating improvisers ("accidentally" saw them at a local summer festival in my hometown - I knew some of the Paul Winter Consort stuff, but nothing prepared me for the "freedom" in their improvisations - very heady stuff - probably half or more of the attendees left at intermission, but I stayed to the end - it was awesome). Another possibility for a "dive" would be Charles Lloyd; as a formative and continuing influence on jazz, he brings calm and soul and fire and so much more!

[@davestephens6421]

Got into Larry very early on......so underrated!! His duel with Al Di Meola on Lenny White's 'Venusian Summer' is one of the great JazzRock tracks!!! Great, and very important artist!!

[@richard8417]

I think Al Di Meola is underrated as well. 👌🏻

[@philipbenner]

Both are overrated

[@richard8417]

@@philipbenneryou have the right to have an opinion 👍🏻

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

That's a great track.

[@JohnMCMILLIAN-se1sb]

Larry was one of my influences. thanks

[@sheldonwhite1886]

Great stuff, Andy! I've heard many of these but there's a few I will check out...

[@lvtutorials3039]

Thank you Andy. Great.

[@Robt.Velasquez]

A well deserved salute to. GREAT MUSICIAN. Thank you for this Andy.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davewaterford281]

Thanks Andy, another excellent video. Be yourself don't edit too much, the original you is better, makes it more real. Thanks for new choices of Larry Coryell - will definitely give those a listen.

[@pauldecoster]

The great thing about your videos is you don’t edit them. Most who try what you do can sound boring after a while, but your humor and personality make us stay with you the whole time(your expertise doesn’t hurt either)

[@WELLBRAN]

You mean he's a flawed human 😂

[@zootallures6470]

Agreed. My introduction to LC was The Restful Mind with Oregon. Another one of my favorites is Level One. Oh that 70s fusion with wah-wah on the trumpet… He made another album with Philip Catherine in 1978, called Splendid. Indeed.

[@tinysherpa7180]

I bought a Hagstrom based on the adverts in I think Downbeat featuring Larry. Not disappointed.

[@armonepie7722]

Hey Andy, awesome video, by any change soon do a video on Brian Auger soon? He is another underrated musician indeed.

[@fusionfan6883]

Now you are talking, another huge Auger fan here🤘🏻He is absolutely one of the fusion greats, he successfully fused jazz, rock, soul and RnB into an irresistible and commercially viable stew. He is an irrepressible genius who swings harder than any musician alive, he created a new more modern voice for Hammond and is one of the most soulful Rhodes players ever (just listen to his solo on Straight Ahead). Still going strong, what a guy!

[@stopolis]

I'm in 100% agreement on your top two. I wasn't sure if that was going to happen! I do love Spaces though. Great video!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@garyh.238]

Agreed Andy - "Barefoot Boy" and "Planet End" are definitely some top drawer Larry Coryell. I had the privilege of chatting with Larry after one of his Miles Smiles shows (with assorted Miles Davis alumni) in 2013 - a real nice fellow. My introduction to Larry's playing was by way of the Eleventh House Aspects album back in 1978, and since then have been trying to collect everything in his discography - an incredible guitarist with such a diverse palette of styles in his bag of tricks. A later album from 2001 called Count's Jam Band Reunion with Larry, Steve Marcus, Steve Smith and Kai Eckhardt has some great playing too...."Tomorrow Never Knows" on it is fantastic.

[@devereauxclandestine1272]

Nice one Andy. A great overview of his late sixties to late seventies work. An incredibly tricky artist to cover as his discography is huge and he was such a versatile player. When you hear Larrys work as a sideman to Chico Hamilton, Gary Burton and Herbie Mann you realize that he was way ahead of the jazz rock guitar game in the 60's. He always brought a joyful exuberance, a sheer love of the guitar to his playing. For my money his best stuff is up there with the greatest ( and to me even the occasional missteps have a kind of naive charm to them, even the singing!) It should be said that there is plenty of great stuff to be heard from Larry beyond his 70's work and any fusion fan should check it out. For what it's worth I 100% agree with you that the trio with McLaughlin and DeLucia was at its best when Larry was in the line up. He brought a kind of grounded bluesy feel that complemented the others styles well. With DiMeola on board, as good as it was, it could feel a wee bit self consciously virtuosic and stiff. It's a pity that Larry never made it into the studio with them.

[@jurgenkoslowski2097]

Great stuff on one of the long overlooked jazz-rock pioneers! Several albums I didn't know and have to check out, but my favorite one came out on top - I kept my fingers crossed for the whole video for Barefoot Boy to win ;-))) I'm also glad you re-positioned your lights to avoid the awful reflections in your glasses!

[@96cmb]

nice to give LC his due!!!

[@barryparris91]

Here are two VERY early Larry Coryell appearances on a local Seattle TV show in the early 60s: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKqpaqmllNRkoKM kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6aTk4qLraqNmsk and two early appearances of Ralph Towner on the same show: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHXafKmnrreCg5o kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIS0eoStr7Gqoqc

[@arvidsson56]

The Restful Mind is a beautiful album, and I agree that Oregon deserves more attention. I saw The Eleventh House live in Sweden about the time Level One was released. That was a great concert. I can still remember Mike Mandel shouting "F*ck Nixon!" during an improvisation.

[@jimsalman7257]

I saw Larry Coryell perform solo twice at my college during the late-1970s. Although his genius was evident, his performances were marred by sloppy playing, probably resulting from his substance abuse problems. Then I saw him perform solo in a small nightclub in NYC in the early 1980s. He was sober and I would say his guitar playing was equivalent to what he recorded on the European Impressions album. Truly a transcendent performance.

[@kenshankman3863]

bringing back memories - had most of these lps in the day - love Coryell - loveSpaces - Renees theme - big yes to Oregon

[@samcarson8161]

Thanks to the influence of my late older brother, I was heavily exposed to the best of then brand-new prog rock AND jazz fusion in "real time" during the late '60's and early '70's when I was 12-16 years old (B 1957). Larry Coryell was high on that list, and I heard nearly all of these albums, most prominently "Lady Coryell" and "Coryell" along with the flowering of "Bitches Brew" era Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, etc. I must say, despite my extended auditioning of all these early fusion artists, somehow, I just couldn't get on their wavelength. I could (and did) admire their virtuosity but I really have to say that I admired them much MUCH more than I liked them. What REALLY grabbed me was the adventurous prog rock of the day, and what a thrill it was to anticipate and buy a new Genesis, Yes, ELP, King Crimson album back when they were absolutely at their peak and BEFORE their youthful enthusiasm started to fade (which is inevitable), and they all just more or less became punch-the-clock journeymen. (They all still managed to make GREAT records later, I hasten to add, AND they certainly inspired later generations to pump out fiery and passionate prog-rock of their own in the manner of these trailblazers.) Two other Larry C guest appearances deserving of mention were/are Herbie Mann's "Memphis Underground" where Larry burns the eyebrows off of the other two guitar soloists given the spotlight on the first track of side two (can't recall the title offhand). Also Larry's "Count's Rock Band" LP with Steve Marcus and other jazz-rock behemoths of the day, jamming ferociously in the studio. I sure can't express WHY exactly I can't "get" jazz fusion, but I'm still open to being convinced, even if only to feel closer to my departed and irreplaceable brother. HA let me also pass along a bit of snark my younger brother (also lost to eternity in '22) shared about Jazz Snobbery, "even the people who SAY they like it really DON'T actually like it." Not true, I know, but I totally "get" the sentiment and the fake refinement so many wine-and-cheese jazz aficionados like to exalt themselves with. "I throw my drink in your face, you peasant!" Finally: I was reawakened to neo-prog in the early '80's with the emergence of IQ and Marillion, and since then there's been a steady supply of worthy practitioners of the craft. By contrast, what passes for jazz is now mostly happening in Europe or Japan though I know there are still several die-hard purists still toiling in obscurity for American audiophile labels (and in academia or in white-tablecloth restaurants). Grateful THANKS for your contribution as both a performer and YT pundit, keeping the candle flickering and giving us a forum.

[@littlegrant]

Great job!

[@johnphillips8064]

Offering is the first jazz rock fusion I bought as a kid. The guitar playing just steam rolls over ou. The energy is just awesome. I totally agree with your take. I Love Barefoot Boy but Offering ....man!

[@jedtulman46]

OFFERING is available on Spodify

[@callmejeffbob]

Thanks Andy; very informative video. I actually only have a few Larry Coryell records: "Offering" and "Spaces" on LP and two duet albums on CD- one w/Miroslav Vitous and one with L. Subramaniam. Additionally, I've got a couple Gary Burton LPs that he's on. I've taken your recommendations and ordered copies of "Restful Mind" and "Barefoot Boy". I only saw Coryell perform twice. The first time was either in late 1972 or more likely 1973 with the "Eleventh House" band w/ Al Mouzon , Steve Marcus, etc., which a great show. Then many years later, not long before his death, I saw him play a duet with Ron Carter, playing mostly standards. It was a very good performance, but not really what Coryell was known for. He was actually subbing for another guitarist, Russell Malone. In regards to the late Jim Pepper, some of his solo albums are definitely much better than others. As far as I know, all his albums, to one degree or another, reflect his native American ancestry. He was a well known player here in the Oregon jazz scene "back in the day" and played his tenor sax with an amazing tone, somewhat along the lines of Gato Barbieri. He was in an early fusion group with Coryell called the "Free Spirits". He is on records by many other notable names such as Charlie Haden/Carla Bley, Bob Moses, Paul Motian, Mal Waldron, etc. Similarly some of his own records have heavyweight players like Don Cherry, John Scofield, Billy Cobham, Naná Vasconcelos, Collin Walcott, Jerry Jemontt, Coryell, etc.. All that aside, he will most be remembered for writing the song "Witchi-Tai-To" which he originally recorded as a single in 1969 in a group called "Everything is Everything", and was an unlikely (very) minor hit at the time. The song is based on a peyote ceremony chant that he heard his grandfather sing, which Pepper set to a very simple but beautiful melody (IMO). The song has been widely covered over the years. The folk/rock duo Brewer & Shipley were probably the first to do so, followed by vocal group Harper's Bizzare, jazz pianist/vocalist Tom Grant, Oregon, Ralph Towner, Jan Garbarek, and I suppose the most recent version was by pop/rock singer Jack Johnson. It seems as though many, if not most, of Jim Pepper's albums also have a version of the song. I'm sure many people consider the song a little cheesy, but it always touches a warm, nostalgic nerve for me. There you go, MORE ABOUT JIM PEPPER THAN YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

He was great, played small venues and was always a good gig solo or with band.

[@jvpresnall]

Born and spent his early childhood in Galveston, TX-home to Jack Johnson too.

[@borboletta]

Coryell also recorded with Mingus. Check out his beautiful solo on "Farewell Farewell": kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHfZYoOha719hck&pp=gAQBiAQB

[@GuyJames]

Oregon recorded Wichi-Tai-To by Jim Pepper which is a great melody and how I know his name. Would love to see a vid on Oregon, they were brilliant; their album with Elvin Jones is particularly good. Had a ticket to see Ralph Towner in Barcelona at the end of last year but unfortunately he fell off a ladder or something and hurt his hand so couldn't do the gig. I did see Oregon in the UK in the '90s and they were great.

[@zootallures6470]

Seen Oregon twice. First as a trio [Colin Walcott was already playing tablas on the clouds]. The second time with Trilok Gurtu. I’ve taken with me Out of the Woods where the guys are sitting in the grass on the inner sleeve. Paul McCandless said: Oh, that’s an old album. Me: Your best. Everybody signed under their pictures. Gurtu under Walcott’s.

[@45calypso]

I don’t know much about his jazz fusion work but his version of Scheherazade is simply astonishing.

[@2yhtomit]

Thanks for that insightful look at Larry Coryell's work. I'm going to be busy streaming some of those albums for the next several days! If I may, I'd like to offer a few gentle suggestions for the "new look" you're developing with the additional lights and all. First, do something to hide the while light that shows up behind your left arm/shoulder. Having a bright white crescent in the scene is unpleasant. Perhaps you could lower it and put it a bit more behind you, so you'd have the necessary background light, but unobtrusively. Second, the large, purple and green logo you've placed at the lower left of the screen is also unpleasant. I don't seen the need for it, as you already have the logo in black-and-white in the lower right corner. That one's fine; the big (ugly blotch) one is not. I appreciate all your efforts, your sincerity, and your willingness to share your thoughts with us!

[@danielschaeffer1294]

It’s only fitting that Larry should come out on Vanguard Records. I learned guitar, and my own limitations thereon, all through the 60s hunting down Vanguard offerings. John Hurt, Skip James, Doc Watson, John Fahey, Sandy Bull, Bert Jansch, Manitas De Plata, Hamza el Din - they offered the best and most exploratory music available at the time. By the time Jimi and McLaughlin came along, I was ready. To all serious collectors, start hunting down the Vanguard catalogue. I’ve got a cartload of Coryell records, and I have to say that I like his acoustic work best. What seems to distinguish his playing from McLaughlin’s is that, unlike McLaughlin’s almost pathological self-seriousness, Coryell was always a hopeless romantic, and just out to have outrageous, flamboyant fun. And one more note. Larry wasn’t the first to come out with the idea of acoustic instrumental duets. Bert Jansch and John Renbourn released a CD of duets that provided a blueprint for later albums, and it’s GLORIOUS!

[@FloatingAnarchy61]

That Bert Jansch and John Renbourn album is absolutely brilliantt. Jack Orion from 64 is also a great album as is his debut album. Zeppelin in later years acknowledged the blues artists they ripped off but Jimmy was a lot quieter about the absolute rip off Bron Y Aur Stomp was of the Waggoner's Lad from Jack Orion. Of course Bert and John were also the guitarists in Pentangle who combined pastoral folk with psychedelia, never heard Andy mention Pentangle really. Another classic folk psych band were Trees who released two albums the most famous was On The Shore which is just brilliant. Neil Young loves Bert and once described him as 'the Jimi Hendrix of acoustic guitar.

[@scottdraper1822]

Hi Andy.Great show! I wonder if you have heard Larry Coryell "Live from Bahia" (1992 / CTI Records) Great LP (cassette) Smokin' Billy Cob ham @ his subtle best!..Cheers!

[@grahamnunn8998]

I was very young when i got The Restful Mind but knew the De Visee pieces as i was learning classical at the time. Later got Introducing..and At Montreux by The Eleventh House and my mind was truly blown.

[@tomztomasz506]

I love Larry Coryell and I write it knowing only a fraction of his works. That Super Guitar Trio with Al di Meola and Birelli Lagrene was my introduction to his playing. After learning that he wrote "PSP" (with these fabulous chord progressions), I knew that I had to dig deep into his stuff (no sexual puns intended!). And, boy, were these aIbums amazing... I was pissed when he died.

[@floydshambles]

Thanks in advance. Got to see him solo acoustic in a coffee shop once. Great player, cool dude

[@plenary123]

"Spaces Revisited" and his work with Michal Urbaniak are some of my favs after this time period.

[@finylvinyl66]

Always loved Steve Marcus on this album - you are so right!

[@finylvinyl66]

Offering that is.

[@keithlumb7314]

Great list Andy and it is good to pay Larry the respect he deserves. Although it is outside the scope of this ranking , I feel the live album Aurora Coryellis features some of his most expansive and creative playing. Check out Spaces Revisited Parts one and two, with the great Paul Wertico on drums. Even towards the end of his career, he could show most guitarists a "clean pair of heels".

[@albertvangestal3696]

I had the pleasure of witnessing the genius Larry Coryell live in Brussels in January of 1985 At the Ancienne Belgique Concert Hall. He performed with Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira.

[@Luke-db9fc]

Level One kills it! I always play it loud when I can!

[@fusionfan6883]

Absolutely right, Larry is up there as one of the fusion pioneers. As others have said, his substance issues, and inability to forge and stick with a particular musical direction, meant he never quite attracted the ‘fame’ of his contemporaries, but there is no denying his genius. He had something different to say on the guitar because his roots and influences differed from those such as McLaughlin etc, melding American jazz, folk, psych and rock. A particular classic is the tour he did with Jack Bruce, Mitch Mitchell et al, a live recording of which is knocking around on YT I believe. Although based in the U.K., I saw him a number of times over the years in different groupings, but I particularly appreciated his more straight ahead jazz, especially with the late great Emily Remler. His son Julian Coryell is an absolute jazz and fusion monster too, and well worth checking out. RIP Larry and thanks for the music🎸🤘🏻

[@Veaseify]

I only knew of people like Larry Coryell, Lenny Breau and Bill Frisell through subscribing to Guitar Player magazine in the 70's and because they had columns in there and were endlessly discussed and reviewed I thought they must be giants in the music world, even though nobody appeared to have heard of them....

[@alanmatthew5713]

Larry Coryell is a TRUE musical innovator on the guitar.

[@philipbenner]

The Jazz Composer’s Orchestra recording was wild

[@thekeywitness]

Nice to finally see Coryell highlighted on this channel. I've never understood why he and Eleventh House don't get the love they deserve. My go-to jam is "Scotland I" from Offering. As for your "jumper," I never understood why they're called that in the UK and not a "sweater" or "pullover". Jumper sounds like something you put on your kid for bedtime. LOL

[@jimmcgonigal]

We call them all three names 😊

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

Larry Coryell is very underrated. I've never figured it out either. There's a few albums I haven't heard and need to look them up. "Barefoot Boy" is one of my favorites.

[@chordpop6259]

I hope you revisit Fairyland periodically in the future. That is my favorite of his with Live At Village Gate behind, then Barefoot and Offering. I love it for the reasons that you expanded on at the end. His by the seat of his pants going for it nature. Surprising to see it so low in your ranking, again considering your end summary. I love the gnarly but clear enough production, as it fits his playing perfectly. Also... Stones... wow, what a cool, doomy song written by Doug Davis (?). An educator, I believe. This song is heavy. Like Black Sabbath jazz fusion. But its just slid off the map of musical importance. The poor recording enhances the doominess of this album. Almost as a tool. Village Gate gets better quality but loses something. But not by much. If the quality were a bit worse I might like it more.. Again with the doomy dark overtones. Also, I LOVE that there is a feeling that something is missing. An instrument(s)? A part? Something, and it's this sparseness or hole that creates something more than his other albums which seemed perfectly filled. I often listen to these two albums on repeat dreaming that there might be some more unreleased dark trio live recordings from 70/71 that surface someday.

[@stringrip]

I recently dug out the vinyl Fairyland live album and transferred it to computer after not having listened to it for many years. I always remember him saying " it didn't come out like it was supposed to in rehearsal but that's JAZZ "

[@docbobster]

My favorite LC album is long out of print: "European Impressions." However, side B appears as bonus tracks on at least one re-release of "Tributaries", and side A appears as bonus tracks on the Japanese re-release of "Two for the Road." It's all acoustic, but on side A he is on fire, and on side B he is at his lyrical jazz best.

[@docbobster]

Oops, I should never write before hearing what Andy has to say; he later mentions this and ranks it high.

[@quayscenes]

You can use that, Andy, my gift... 😸 Wonderful video! Never succumb to editing and a false perfection!

[@starcloud4959]

You probably dont even know anything about music to start with.

[@kennethdias9988]

I saw Larry Correll in 75 at a small club just outside of Washington DC solo gig he played mostly acoustic then played an electric guitar plugged into a little pug nose amp and wailed a bit great Show I saw Joe Pass on the same stage a month later great summer between 11th and 12th grade.

[@richardbartolo2890]

I remember watching Larry Coryell at the Fillmore East with Jack Bruce on Bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums not too much later after Cream broke up.

[@davidmontgomery5047]

Thank You for Giving Larry some attention ,I always felt He was really Overshadowed by McLaughlin ,DiMeola etc .

[@duncanleith9172]

A Ray Gomez would be a terrific listen if it comes off: who also, of course, features on the great Venusian Summer which you mention (yes it is Prince of the Sea)

[@keithshapland903]

Very interesting ranking with the top two albums that I'd never heard before. So I have since bought second hand copies of Offering and Barefoot Boy. Both excellent as you point out. And Movies by Michael Mantler is superb. I also have More Movies which features Philp Catherine, but it's not as good to my ears.

[@donaldanderson6604]

I saw him three times with Philip Catherine, an amazing acoustic duo. Twin House was a favourite until Splendid came out. Great albums.

[@zootallures6470]

Just one word: Snowshadows.

[@donaldanderson6604]

Forgot to mention their live album with Joachim Kuhn.

[@dave_manley]

Wasn't expecting to see Twin-House, thought it would be an all electric list. It is a favorite of mine, along with the following Splendid. There's also Young Django with Stephane Grappelli if you like Hot Club jazz.

[@411curt]

I love Larry Coryell's playing. He was such an exciting guitarist. I remember laughing when I read Joe Pass's comments on Larry's "Sunday Telephone" from the June 8, 1972 Downbeat Blindfold Test. It was a bit unfair because I'm sure Leonard Feather knew that Pass wouldn't relate to Larry's approach to guitar. Anyway, here's Joe's comment: "What is it? God! I think there's more than one guitarist on that. I mean, I shouldn't even say the word guitarist. It sounds like a lot of electronics, a lot of things that are popular today. Fuzz tone, distortion and a lot of one chord. I don't know who that was, but if they do it good that's too bad!"

[@RaulMannolaX]

Better than live, with the Brubek brothers (1978) and Splendid (1976) with Philip Catherine are also wonderful! Thanks Andy for this video!

[@littlegrant]

It would be nice to see you follow this up with a ranking or appraisal of his works from 1978 till his passing. That includes a wealth of albums , many which are straight jazz. I would recommend for you : Spaces Revisited ( w/ Birreli Lagrene), Cause and Effect ( w/ Tom Coster and Steve Smith), Together w/ Emily Remler, Private Concert, Petruska Suite ( Solo of Stravinsky work),Barefoot Man , and Elenveth House - Seven Secrets ( w/ Alphonso Mouzon and Randy Brecker.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I don't have many..its weeks of work!

[@littlegrant]

I have probably a hundred . Been listening to him for multiple decades. Maybe just get the ones I listed above. Most of what I listed are jazz rock oriented with the exception of Larry Coryell / Emily Remler- Together. This is a great example of his straight jazz albums. There are many many straigjt jazz titles. All great.

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic have a wonderful day Andy also today is my friends birthday also my birthday ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Happy birthday!

[@oman3809]

Philip Catherine: I really like his album "September Man" from 1975. The sleeve looks like it houses some easy listening stuff but luckily it contains some great jazzrock. Gerry Bron and John Lee are the rhythm section (I think they operated from Europe at that time since they are on a lot of fusion albums from Joachim Kühn to Charlie Mariano), Palle Mikkelborg on trumpet (composes some great stuff on the album too), Jaspet Van't-Hoff on keyboards and Charlie Mariano on sax and flute. I especially love Lee's bass on it, he has a great tone and his lines remind me of Doug Rauch even 'though he does not use the thumb.

[@bakeone4406]

Your bottom three are mine as well. Stiff Neck and Treats Style from Lady Coryell are so great that superlatives fail to do them justice. That these tracks were recorded in 1968 is astonishing and they deliver things that I can't find on any albums from the same year. I can't be objective about Lady Coryell or put it near the bottom of his discography. The Village Gate album is on $#@!*(^%$# fire! It gives us a raw inspired blast of adrenaline that really represents an evolutionary leap in psychedelic music. The Fairyland album recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival isn't listed here, but it certainly should be. The version of Jam For Albert Stinson on this one is more brain melting than the studio recording. This album is even more of a flame thrower than the Village Gate album. It might be the single nastiest record he put out. The recording quality might let it down a bit, but it prints in the head beautifully...it's kind of his Who Live at Leeds album.

[@Monetize_This]

It’s great to have someone giving LC his due. Always loved his Playing which was as bombastic as it was lyrical. His catalog is spotty but there are always one or two gems on every album and as you say there are several that are Fantastic. Was never a fan of his vocals which he insisted on strewing throughout his earlier albums but like the au naturale cover of Coryell it was of the time. Never liked Spaces much either despite the musicians on it- it always struck me as two gunslingers trying to outdo each other with a lot of speed picking but it lacked his usual lyricism and melodic invention… Agree about Steve Marcus who I’d never heard of if not for his association w L Coryell. Love Tomorrow Never Knows although the Graham Gouldman cover sounds like 60s Muzak…It’s a shame More people Don’t know him because he’s a fantastic player

[@benjaminhawthorne1969]

Did he take "Tomorrow Never Knows" from THE BEATLES? I have always heard that that was one of Ringo's non-sensical sayings that THE BEATLES decided to use as their rather "Avant-Garde" tune's title. 🤔

[@turntablesrockmyworld9315]

It's about time! I have a dozen Coryell albums and even his not-so-stellar are interesting. He is a hidden secret in jazz rock/fusion as many overlook him. I'd be interested to see a video from you on the best early albums from the great Japanese jazz trumpeter Terumasa Hino. Interested in doing that?

[@alanmatthew5713]

A great record to start a collection of Larry Coryell is "Improvisations."

[@ericjoseph4355]

Your podcast on Larry Coryell was bittersweet for me. I'd owned 16 out of the 20 recordings you reviewed (only a few on CD now), and your explanation for why Coryell never achieved the recognition of Mahavishnu was right on point. Clearly, Coryell was easily as virtuosic as McLaughlin. Their approach to the instrument had its similarities and vast differences. No diss on John, always loved his work (I agree with you on V E Beyond, his masterwork), but Coryell was in a way, more accessible. My Coryell recordings outnumbered my McLaughlin. I saw him four times live (once with Emily Remler). I remember a concert I saw in Washington, DC. He was touring with Steve Khan. The acoustic set was brilliant, but in mid play Coryell stopped, just for a few seconds, and then went back to where he left off. It was weird to say the least. Larry Coryell should be every bit as famous and recognized as McLaughlin. Like John he was an innovator. I love his early work, with him spitting fire on a Gibson Super 400 CES! He could sometimes be guilty of overplaying and using certain guitar clichés, but like you said, he would take risks and when those "risks" worked he was phenomenal! When Coryell died I took it pretty hard. We also lost, the same year Coryell departed, two more legends of the instrument, John Abercrombie and Alan Holdsworth. The three of them left a hole that cannot be filled. Thank you for your recognition of Larry Coryell.

[@coryellcoryell1]

My absolutely favourite guitarist. I've been a fan since the late 70's. I agree about Offering, an amazing album. I would have placed Offering first and At The Village Gate second.

[@richardthurston2171]

Saw him in Seattle 1972 with The Eleventh House featuring the phenomenal Alphonse Mouzon.

[@naderzekrya5238]

1973

[@richardthurston2171]

@@naderzekrya5238 Right you are. The Walrus Tavern.

[@brianjames5685]

I've heard of him obviously but I know nowt about him so I shall watch the rest later when I'm done listening to new records. I bought 2 albums today from the charity shop. One I doubt you will like, one I'm sure you do, but both cost me £3.00 each. First one the Minutemen - "Double nickels on the Dime", usually an expensive record and in excellent condition, the second one Bobbie Humphrey " Fancy Dancer", again usually expensive, not in as good condition as the Minutemen but the vinyl itself plays great and there is just a little edge wear on the cover. I went through every box they had in the shop and couldn't find anything else that was remotely interesting. Anyway soon as 11 o clock comes and I have to turn the tunes off I shall continue with your video, will probably end up spending more money because of it lol.

[@adude9882]

Can we have a run down of the 10 best jumpers?

[@hilgo_velomobile]

Which of his albums would be the most similar to Aspects? I had that cassette in the 70's and I loved it. But later on, I bought Tricycle and didn't like it at all.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Try 'Back Together Again'

[@hilgo_velomobile]

I shall do that. Thank you!@@AndyEdwardsDrummer

[@Peter7966]

I saw Larry I couple of times in the early 70s. Great guitar player. Never really had a band that made s musical statement beyond the virtuosity of the individual players. Unlike Return To Forever or Mahavishnu Orchestra, Larry's bands never seemed to have a distinct fusion sound. But man, Larry could play with the best.

[@peterpeper4837]

My condolences to all the Russian viewers of your channel. My thoughts and prayers to all the families of the victims and to the whole Russian nation

[@chetsenior7253]

No Soft Machine?

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Why??

[@markcapofari8419]

John Abercrombie next -

[@lupcokotevski2907]

The Foul Quince youtuber argues that what set Hendrix apart from other guitarists was his " feel, wit, mischief and disruption'. I can see a lot of that in Larry, except that he has a lot more technique. I also like like album with the tragic Emily Remler. I vaguely remember when she died on tour in Australia. She also had a drug problem. Another album on the edge of risk is Barney Kessel's shred fest on Soaring (1976). Some of the tempos are crazy, as is the number of chords he plays amongst the single lines and sweep picking.

[@erikheddergott5514]

Larry Coryell followed Gabor Szabo in the Chico Hamilton Band. Chico Hamilton was an absolute Guitar Freak, research on Discogs will open up Ears. So when Chico took Larry in his Band he „arrived“.

[@wylieroth3145]

Did I miss Coryell's "Difference" or did it not make the cut?

[@wylieroth3145]

This was fun. You're a perfect goofer. Carry on.

[@wylieroth3145]

If you put that light at your back pointing slightly upward it could give you an almost angelic glow or aura. Think about it...

[@martinbravey6444]

For me, Barefoot Boy and Offering have the same mind-altering qualities as Jack Johnson and Devotion

[@finylvinyl66]

I've always thought OFFERING and the first ELEVENTH HOUSE albums his best. Saw him in '72 - with Mouzon and Mike Mandel - outstanding.

[@finylvinyl66]

Didn't know until the end of the performance that Mandel was blind.

[@elbib2446]

all kudos to larry,great picks,some i dont know,so many albums,varied..good stuff with victor bailey/lenny white traffic etc he had a sort of second coming,that few know about,the releases on wide hive,with wide hive players is like trip hop larry ,also on wide hive from 2013,the lift ,a guitar,hammond,drums,bass mix of raw jazz/blues rock.larry was a bit like flamenco guy victor monge/serannito,seen as the new innovator in the genre,then paco de lucia came along,and stole all the accolades

[@narosgmbh5916]

@elbib Paco stole all the accolades?

[@JohnMCMILLIAN-se1sb]

there is a 2016 live release of 11th house from 1973 called funky waltz. Its much better than live at Montreux

[@trevorhoward2254]

Barefoot Boy. The only Coryell album I own and one of the few albums by anyone I own two copies of.

[@WELLBRAN]

2 things worth mentioning ..mike mandel was a childhood friend of Larry Coryell And also Mike mandel was blind ..what a musician!

[@johnthursfield3056]

Larry Coryell was always my favourite of the fusion guitar players, I found him (generally) the most tasteful, particularly in the mid 70's. I rate Aspects higher than you do. You don't mention it but Difference was one of my top Larry Coryell albums but you rate a load I'd never heard of too. btw Al Di Meola was a replacement for Larry Coryell in the guitar trio when his drug problems could no longer be ignored but he was there with Paco and John M in the beginning.

[@johnthursfield3056]

Ah, the perils of posting before you've seen the end of the video re the trio

[@narosgmbh5916]

​@@johnthursfield3056 As punishment you now have to search for a bootleg on KZbin: Jack Bruce, Larry Coryell, mitch Mitchell, Mike Mandel (1970)

[@stanls265]

You left one out. Larry Coryel - 1978 "Difference" It features Tony Williams , Steve Gsdd, Don Grolnick, Will Lee, David Sanborn, Steve Khan.

[@PurposefulPorpoise]

If u guys like jazz-rock check out our album : Purposeful Porpoise - Water Games. Available on Spotify and Apple Music. Imagine if The Beatles went Fusion! Feat.Vinnie Colaiuta on drums!