Tal Farlow - 1957 [1999] "The Swinging Guitar Of Tal Farlow"

The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow is an album by American jazz guitarist Tal Farlow, released in 1957.

In the mid-'50s, guitarist Tal Farlow led one of his finest groups, a drumless trio with pianist Eddie Costa and bassist Vinnie Burke. The same band would record the album Tal a week or two later. With Burke contributing a constant walking bass, the interplay between Farlow and Costa is always exciting, whether they are playing unisons or trading off. This 1999 CD reissue not only has the original seven selections but "Gone With the Wind" (which was left off of the original LP due to lack of space) plus three full-length alternate takes that are basically on the same level as the masters. Among the highpoints are "Taking a Chance on Love," "Yardbird Suite," "Like Someone in Love," and Farlow's lone original, "Meteor," which utilizes the chord changes of "Confirmation." Hot bebop that is easily recommended.

The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow not only presents Farlow at his swinging best but also features the brilliant pianist Eddie Costa in one of his too few recordings. In many ways this is a duet recording with Farlow and Costa playing off of each other above a traditional bass accompaniment. In this case "play" is no casual adjective, the chemistry between Farlow and Costa is extraordinary with lively intertwining solos and double voicings demonstrating their intuitive rapport.

Bassist Vinnie Burke is also capable of impressive solo work as demonstrated on "They Can't Take That Away From Me" in which he rises out of his supportive role to dominate the stage with a long, imaginative solo. Burke usually plays with a deep, walking bass solidity which contrasts with the often fleet, ringing guitar lines of Farlow; both crucial contributions to the success of this trio's unique "sound."

Eddie Costa, who died six years later at the age of 32, was already a complete pianist at the time of this recording. He provides Farlow and Burke with sensitive and challenging comping while his solo work is always quirky and interesting revealing a percussive quality that suggests the indirect influence of his other instrument the vibes.

Tal Farlow has never played more fluidly, displaying a rhythmic ease and agility that is sometimes startling. In this mix of swing and boppish tunes, his solo on "Yardbird Suite" is "evidence enough that at his best he belongs with Charlie Christian and Chuck Wayne as one of the early masters of the be-bop guitar. Farlow, Costa, and Burke - this was quite a trio, an exciting jazz trio that knew what playing together was all about.

Track listing:

"Taking a Chance on Love" (Vernon Duke, John Latouche, Ted Fetter) – 4:43
"Yardbird Suite" (Charlie Parker) – 5:15
"You Stepped Out of a Dream" (Nacio Herb Brown, Gus Kahn) – 5:39
"They Can't Take That Away from Me" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 5:42
"Like Someone in Love" (Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen) – 6:38
"Meteor" (Tal Farlow) – 6:35
"I Love You" (Cole Porter) – 5:30

1999 reissue bonus tracks & alternate takes:

"Gone with the Wind" (Allie Wrubel, Herb Magidson) – 5:26
"Taking a Chance on Love" – 6:12
"Yardbird Suite" – 5:12
"Gone with the Wind" – 5:37

Personnel:

Tal Farlow – guitar
Eddie Costa – piano
Vinnie Burke – bass