Tal Farlow Chromatic Pallette

Tal Farlow - A Recital By Tal Farlow (1955) {Verve Japan, Early Press, J28J 25111 rel 1988}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 127 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 76 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 29 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1955, 1988 Norgran Records / Verve / Polygram Japan | J28J 25111
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Guitar

Farlow shines on this mid-50s Verve gem, long out of print and not available on CD except at an exceptionally high cost (same with the vinyl usually as well). He is accompanied by a piano-less quintet consisting of Bob Gordon on baritone (who was definitely influenced by Gerry Mulligan), Bill Perkins on tenor sax, Bob Enevoldsen on valve trombone, Monty Budwig on bass and Lawrence Marable on drums. There are only 7 selections so the musicians (especially Mssr. Farlow) get a chance to stretch out.

Farlow is joined by second guitarist Don Arnone, bassist Clyde Lombardi, and drummer Joe Morello for three standards ("Lover," "Flamingo" and "All Through the Night") plus a trio of the leader's originals during what was Farlow's first recording as a leader. Even at that early stage, Tal Farlow was a giant.

For guitarist Tal Farlow's second album as a leader (following a very obscure effort for Blue Note), he is joined by rhythm guitarist Barry Galbraith, bassist Oscar Pettiford and drummer Joe Morello on eight numbers, and pianist Claude Williamson and bassist Red Mitchell for the remaining four. Farlow is heard in his early prime. Thirty-two at the time, he was a brilliant technician who could play extremely fast, yet clean and with a light touch. His solos on the 11 standards (which include Pettiford's "Blues in the Closet," "Stompin' at the Savoy" and "You and the Night and the Music"), plus his own "Gibson Boy," are hard-swinging and creative, yet thoughtful.

This album is one of the finest jazz guitar albums of all time. Tal is in top form after a long hiatus. His ideas flow greatly and he is more inventive than ever on this album. If "The Swinging Guitar…" is the quintessential album to have by Tal, this would probably be second on the list. (Amazon.com)

The one-time meeting between guitarists Tal Farlow and Lenny Breau came about because Lorenzo DeStefano, who was making a PBS documentary (Talmage Farlow) in 1980, wanted a meeting between the veteran and a rising star. Farlow suggested Breau, and an invitation was extended and immediately accepted by the younger man. After the musicians spent time conversing in Farlow's New Jersey home, they moved to The Sign of the Times, a small nightclub in the tiny town of Rumson, to weave their musical magic…

Although vibraphonist Red Norvo had been on records for nearly 20 years and had been a pacesetter in both swing and bop, it was when he formed his trio with guitarist Tal Farlow and bassist Charles Mingus in 1950 that he found the perfect setting for his vibes.
The Red Norvo Trio with Tal Farlow and Charles Mingus chronicles his 1950-51 recordings with the innovative guitarist and bass player, and are among the most influential examples of what has come to be known as chamber jazz. When economic conditions made touring with a sextet impossible, Norvo decided to dispense with a rhythm section. In Farlow and Mingus he found players who shared his fascination with sophisticated harmonies, and were able to hang with him at the brisk tempos he favored…

One of the first great improvisers on the xylophone and marimba, Red Norvo was also one of the few swing-era stars to make a successful transition to the harmonic and rhythmic challenges of bebop (he recorded with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie in 1945). By that time he had switched up to a vibraphone–a more versatile instrument with its amplified sound and sustain pedal–but his steely rhythmic articulation always reflected his experiences as an acoustic mallet player…

Nearly as famous for his reluctance to play as for his outstanding abilities, guitarist Tal Farlow did not take up the instrument until he was already 21, but within a year was playing professionally and in 1948 was with Marjorie Hyams' band. While with the Red Norvo Trio (which originally included Charles Mingus) from 1949-1953, Farlow became famous in the jazz world. His huge hands and ability to play rapid yet light lines made him one of the top guitarists of the era. After six months with Artie Shaw's Gramercy Five in 1953, Farlow put together his own group, which for a time included pianist Eddie Costa. Late in 1958, Farlow settled on the East Coast, became a sign painter, and just played locally…

Tal Farlow - A Sign Of The Times (1977) {Concord Jazz ‎CCD-4026 rel 1992}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 183 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 95 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 15 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977, 1992 Concord Jazz ‎| CCD-4026
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Guitar

Guitarist Tal Farlow's debut for the Concord label was only his second album as a leader since 1959. Farlow, who had given up the hectic lifestyle of a full-time jazz musician to become a sign painter who played guitar on the side, had not lost any of his power or creative swing through the years. Teamed up in a drumless trio with pianist Hank Jones and bassist Ray Brown, Farlow is in typically brilliant form on such numbers as a rapid "Fascinating Rhythm," a slower-than-usual "Stompin' at the Savoy," Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way" and even "Put on a Happy Face." This CD is a fine example of Tal Farlow's talents.