Larry Coryell - 2013 "The Lift"

Larry Coryell's name isn t bandied around much now, but in the 1970s he was almost as big a guitar star as John McLaughlin, and an equivalent influence on the development of early electric jazz-rock fusion ... Coryell s crackling uptempo bursts and engagingly rough-hewn energy give this familiar music a vividness and infectious enthusiasm. THE GUARDIAN/p> You don t even have to be a fan of his or a guitar aficionado to dig this disc; anyone who likes that old school funky rock-jazz with a few delectable diversions will find a lot to like about it. The old Larry Coryell, the Father of Fusion Guitar, is back. --Something Else!

Though he’s since built up equally impressive credentials as a post-bop guitarist, Coryell’s been in a fusion state of mind lately. He’s going to turn 70 next month but shows not even a trace of slowing down. If anything, he’s been revitalized on his Wide Hive records and his third one for the label is as raw and energetic as anything he’s done in a studio for decades. The Lift, as this latest one is called, scales back from the large, horn-laden backing band he used on 2011’s righteous Larry Coryell With The Wide Hive Players down to mostly just a tidy electric guitar/electric bass/drums unit. Matt Montgomery (bass) and Lumpy (drums) are the only other musicians present on the album, save for Chester Smith and his organ on three cuts.

The performances here are raw, a natural outcome from these being single take recordings, and the warm, vintage analog sound captured by record label founder Gregory Howe. Even more credit for that rough-and-ready sound goes to Coryell himself, whose delightfully dirty tone and broken notes are his trademark, and it’s even more ragged on The Lift.

These dozen tracks are essentially concise jams but each brings some kind of unique twist. “Going Up” utilizes an odd time signature (at one point, Lumpy slips in a 4/4 beat while Coryell continues to play the odd meter and somehow it still fits). The 9/8 strut of “Rough Cut” frames Coryell’s circular riff, as Smith improvises over that. The groove on “The Lift” is a lighter, jazzier one while the one on “Lafayette” is rubbery, “Wild Rye” is a straight rocker and “Stadium Wave” boasts a Latin flavor. Coryell plays the blues in his own way, too: “Arena Blues” is heavily psychedelic, his fuzzy notes bouncing off the walls of the studio, while “Broken Blues” rocks hard against a jazz swing beat.

Liberally alternating between fully chorded attacks and single-line barrages, Coryell is lick machine on The Lift, sounding much closer to that twenty-four year old spring chicken than a guy about to enter his eighth decade on earth. The Lift could have been a time capsule from forty years plus ago opened up to demonstrate how Coryell used to sound like. But it isn’t; the original fusion guitarist remains as sharp and energetic today as he ever did. And you best believe this ol’ guy can still rock his ass off.

The Wide Hive player recordings are, in my opinion, fantastically fun Coryell. This one is no exception. This isn't Eleventh House or Village Gate, but it's great Coryell. Another Coryell you won't regret picking up. I think Jean was confused thinking this was Barry Coryell, the famous Swiss yodeler.

Coryell's "The Lift", release is his best work in a long time. Finally putting out a fusion album that sounds fresh and exciting, that gets better with each listen. Unlike the other two Hive releases that were straight jazz, that can get tedious at times, this is a welcomed release.

Coryell plugging in and getting nasty... it reminds me of his Vanguard recordings like Live at the Village Gate. Highly recommended!

This guy is over 70 now and still blows away most guitarists playing today. Jazz/rock fusion at it's most rocking! Great songs and amazing playing by the whole group Larry has put together.

Fantastic jazz fusion album. I just wish it was a little longer. Reminds me of the approach the Ginger Baker Trio took twenty years ago. Highly recommended.

So good to hear Coryell getting back to his fusion roots. Some true power, mixed with funk, and some outstanding acoustic work.

Track listing:

01     Going Up     3:32
02     Arena Blues     6:52
03     The Lift     4:49
04     Lafayette     3:33
05     Clear Skies     3:49
06     Rough Cut     3:59
07     Alternative Recollection     4:58
08     Broken Blues     3:20
09     Counterweight     3:49
10     Stadium Wave     5:18
11     Wild Rye     4:04
12     First Day Of Autumn     3:50

Personnel:

    Guitar – Larry Coryell
    Bass – Matt Montgomery
    Drums – Lumpy   
    Organ – Chester Smith (3