Tal Farlow Chromatic Pallette

Definitive Records from Spain has been issuing very exciting re-releases and unusual items for years now, but in 2002 they picked up the pace with a series of recordings that had not been seen on U.S. shores on compact disc before. This double CD was issued as two separate albums on the Xanadu label under the titles Fuerst Set and Second Set - the man who recorded them was jazz enthusiast Ed Fuerst. While the sound here is in mono, and a tad distorted because it wasn't recorded in a studio but in a New York City apartment, the performance of this trio of Farlow with pianist Eddie Costa and bassist Vinnie Burke is among the finest items ever released in his catalog and reveals more than his recordings with Hank Jones and Oscar Pettiford the following year…

Tal Farlow - Autumn In New York (1954) {Verve Japan POCJ-2591 rel 1998}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 151 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 83 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 168 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1954, 1998 Norgran Records / Verve / PolyGram Japan | POCJ-2591 / LP MG N-1097
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Guitar

A generally relaxed date (only "Cherokee" is uptempo), Tal Farlow's pretty tone and tasteful improvising style are the main reasons to search for this disc. Pianist Gerry Wiggins, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Chico Hamilton offer quiet and swinging support of the great guitarist, who performs two originals ("And She Remembers Me" and "Tal's Blues"), plus six superior standards. All of Farlow's Verve releases of the '50s are recommended.

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…

Other than a Prestige date in 1969, this was guitarist Tal Farlow's first recording in nearly 17 years. He is heard at a reunion with vibraphonist Red Norvo and matching wits with pianist Hank Jones, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Jake Hanna. Recorded at the 1976 Concord Jazz Festival, this was Farlow's first of six Concord albums, and it led to a slightly higher profile for him than during the past decade. Highlights of the joyous occasion include Norvo's feature on "The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else," a heated "Lullaby of Birdland" and a colorful rendition of "My Shining Hour." Highly recommended to straight-ahead jazz fans.

Other than a Prestige date in 1969, this was guitarist Tal Farlow's first recording in nearly 17 years. He is heard at a reunion with vibraphonist Red Norvo and matching wits with pianist Hank Jones, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Jake Hanna. Recorded at the 1976 Concord Jazz Festival, this was Farlow's first of six Concord albums, and it led to a slightly higher profile for him than during the past decade. Highlights of the joyous occasion include Norvo's feature on "The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else," a heated "Lullaby of Birdland" and a colorful rendition of "My Shining Hour." Highly recommended to straight-ahead jazz fans.

The late Tal Farlow was never recorded often enough during his career, so the appearance of this duo date with the French guitarist Philippe Petit is a welcome addition to his discography. Although a generation apart in age, the two players mesh rather well, with the two of them alternating between lead and rhythm on well-crafted versions of favorite standards such as "Autumn Leaves," "Body and Soul," and "Tenderly." This CD should greatly appeal to fans of bop guitar. (CD Universe).

Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow and Charlie Byrd exemplify the breadth of American jazz. These elder statesmen of the instrument have well over a century of combined knowledge and experience, and their styles cover a vast spectrum of the music, from straight-ahead swing, to be-bop, to bossa nova and beyond. Herb Ellis established an impeccable standard for swinging, mainstream jazz guitar through his extensive work in concert and on record with numerous great jazz instrumentalists including Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Harry Edison and singer Ella Fitzgerald.

This mid-'80s concert is unusual in that it mixes five guitarists from diverse backgrounds onto the same stage. Tal Farlow, a bop master is the senior player, with post-bopper John Abercrombie, Larry Carlton (fusion), plus Larry Coryell and John Scofield (who straddle both post-bop and fusion), bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Billy Hart. Although such a collection of musicians has the potential to cause a train wreck, the musicians share the spotlight generously, complementing one another's solos brilliantly throughout a set mixing standards and classic jazz compositions plus a bossa nova. Best are the extended workouts of "Autumn Leaves" and "All Blues." The major bones to pick with this release include its unimaginative packaging and the lack of liner notes, as only seasoned jazz listeners will be able to identify each guitarist in turn.

Tal Farlow was one of the finest guitarists to emerge during the 1950s. The exciting trio he performs with during this record (which was recorded in a friend's apartment) also features pianst Eddie Costa and bassist Vinnie Burke. The recording quality is generally quite good and the lengthy performances of the four standards never loses their momentum, except when the tape ran out during "Let's Do It." These boppish performances (with plenty of impressive interplay by the musicians) will certainly please straightahead jazz fans.