Larry Coryell – A Retrospective
Picture:
C Sound: B- Extras: C+ Concert: B
There is
a funny moment in Larry Coryell – A
Retrospective before the concert begins that talks about Coryell’s amazing
history as a guitarist and how he failed to make the Top 100 Guitarists list
for Rolling Stone, for which the magazine gets heckled. That is not something the great
counterculture icon is used to hearing from the grass roots music audiences,
but it also shows the dangers of such lists at a time when so much music is so
bad.
Fortunately,
you get about three hours total music over two DVDs in this set and hear why
Coryell is a definite candidate for such a list. Names like Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix
surface in that opening segment of those who admired him to the point of
working or wanting to work with him.
This ironically is a show produced in Germany. The tracks here include:
1) After Later
2) Souls Meeting
3) Souls Dirge
4) Hidalgo Rehearsal
5) Slow Blues
6) Half A Heart
7) Valentine Rehearsal
8) Beautiful Woman
9) Stiff Neck
10) Morning Sickness
11) Beyond This Chilling Wind
12) Spaces (Infinite)
13) Dragon Gate
It is one
this to talk about greatness, but to see and hear it is another story. This is an impressive showing by a master and
veteran of guitar in action that puts so many younger so-called musicians to
shame and the rest of the band is also very good. I you like Rock, Blues, Soul or guitar, this
is a must for you.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image was shot on digital video, maybe high
definition, and is consistent in some good ways. Unfortunately, it is also softer than one
would like also lacking detail and depth.
Fortunately, the PCM 2.0 16-bit/48kHz Stereo is better, if not
spectacular. The combination is good
enough to be engrossing thanks to the subject.
Extras include bonus songs, rehearsals and interviews in two parts on
DVD 2. It is nice to see a talent
finally get his due.
- Nicholas Sheffo
