Customer Reviews

Cause & Effect

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Fusion died sometime in the early 1980's; I cried at the funeral. Fortunately, that didn't stop Larry Coryell, Tom Coster, and Steve Smith from digging it up, shocking it back to life, sticking it behind the wheel of a '74 Trans Am H/O, and sending it screaming through the bad part of town. In the humble opinion of this reviewer, this could be the greatest album of all time -- okay, okay, Kenny G fans might take issue with that statement, but if you like fast and furious fusion guitar (complete with fuzz and wah-wah!), a genuine Hammond B3 organ, synthesizers that sound like synthesizers, and drums with an impossible combination of power and finesse, then this one is for you.

Larry Coryell on guitar, Tom Coster on keyboards, and drummer Steve Smith, who also produced the album, have brought back the best of 70's fusion including Mahavishnu-type solos that bounce measure-by-measure between guitar and keyboard, classic jazz riffs with acid-rock tone settings, celestial head tripping, toe-jam funk, low-down-dirty-shame blues, and a taste of metal thrown in to boot. Add to that a whole bunch of stuff that defies any attempt at classification (What was that time signature on cut two, 14/8 or what?) and you have a CD that left me grinning like an idiot.

At times you could swear you were hearing John McLaughlin, Tommy Bolin, or Al Di Meola, but perhaps most astonishing is last cut, "Finale: Wes and Jimi." Here we get the improbable sounds of Wes Montgomery and Jimi Hendrix from the only guitar player who could dare to even try it, let alone pull it off with such mastery. Best of all, though, are the parts that are Larry Coryell's own distinct style: outrageous original licks, virtuoso speed and style, and just enough of a rough edge to make it unmistakably Larry.

As usual, Coryell has brought together top notch musicians and given them plenty of free reign to add their own flavorings to the mix. Drummer Steve Smith sets the tone for the album a few seconds into the first cut, "These Are Odd Times," with a hard-driving beat at double the tempo you are expecting. The drums are crisp, powerful, and precise, giving the whole album a level of energy rarely found in the jazz section.

Keyboardist Tom Coster makes his presence known early as well, taking the first solo on the opening cut. I didn't think you could run a Hammond organ on nitro-methane till I heard this guy. By the way, if anybody thinks an electronic imitation is a substitute for a real B3 and a Leslie speaker, give this a listen. Then you'll understand why musicians never complain about having to load them onto a truck. (The organ is about the size of a coffin with legs, and weighs about as much, too. Leslie speakers have also caused their share of hernias and smashed fingers, but once you have heard the sound, hauling them from gig to gig is a labor of love.) Coster uses all the wonderful and unique effects that you only get from the genuine article. And while most of his work is on the organ, he does a quite respectable job on piano and synthesizers.

The album also features solid performances by bassists Victor Wooten on the first cut and Benny Reitveld on three others.

What else can I say? Buy this CD!

Larry Coryell,just the name makes you think of great guitar playing,his albums[cd's] range from jazz,fusion,blues ,classical he covers it all,but on this cd with Steve Smith & Tom Coster with Victor Wooten thrown in on bass on a few songs just rocks.I last saw Larry at the Blue Note with Birelli Lagrene on guitar,Billy Cobham on Drums & the amazing Richard Bona on bass.It was Spaces revisited.Pat Martino opened and he was the reason I went to this show but at the end Larry was the reason.Back to Cause & Effect if you like the fusion Coryell you will love this cd.At times he even has a heavy metal feel to it,if only for a second,just trying to paint how rockin this cd is.If you do not have this cd go for it.He is,was and will always be 1 of the best. From Greg the Jersey Gypsy at SPACETUNES@aol.com

This album caught me by complete surprise. I thought Coryell was into the smooth jazz thing. Well I was wrong. He sounds like a heavy metal guitarist here -- and I liked it.

If you're looking for quirky, mean and brazen music, this is for you. Coryell uses fuzz, wah-wah and sustain which sounds like a vacuum cleaner at times and lightening storm at others. Coster plays some great solos reminscent of Brian Auger. And Steve Smith's drumming is just plain incredible.

This one has to be played loud to really be appreciated.

I've heard the best: Chester to Lester, John to Jerry, Norman to Lee, Jimi to Jimmy, Pat to Sco, Bereli to Philip, Bill, Scott, Frank, George, and the other Larry. But I'm telling you, this Larry is playing better than all of 'em. No, he's not the fastest (that's Al), he isn't the cleanest either (that's Lee), and no, he doesn't play all the right notes (that's the other Larry), but he has all the ideas.

Coryell delivers great solos that actually have a beginning, a middle and an end. He moves around the fretboard in a frightening way. He plays Jimi better than Jimi and Allan better Allan.

This is the best fusion album to come around in a long time.

Enjoy.

Wait for a hot, humid night (heat lightning is recommended), grab this CD and go for a drive in the open country. (convertible will magnify effect tenfold). Be forewarned... "Night Visitors" might come and take you away!

For those of you not aware of Larry Coryell's talents, take a step back to 1969, were he founded jazz-rock fusion with his compatriot John McLaughlin on an album called "Spaces". A master of the eclectic, Coryell has dabbled in acoustic, straight-ahead and modern style jazz idioms. In this romp, Coryell reaches back into his bag of tricks and brings new life to the jazz rock fusion of the 1970s. Joining him are keyboardist Tom Coster of Santana fame, and Vital Information drummer Steve Smith. Together, these three take us on a roller coaster ride that begins with the Tony Williams Lifetime and ends with the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

From the beginning of the album, the sound is fast, furious and not for the faint of heart. "These Are Odd Times" is the first track and rings of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, with its eerie tone and fast paced solos. Coster gets the first solo as he shows us his considerable talents. The track ends with a riveting exchange with Coryell.

Plankton is the second track, and is almost heavy metal. Coryell and Coster jab at each other for most of the song as Smith keeps the pace heavy. The song ends with an acid rock guitar solo that sounds like Deep Purple.

Wrong is Right is a straight-jazz cut which showcases both Coryell's and Coster's jazz talents. It's fast tempoed and gets the toe tapping.

The selections entitled "Night Visitors" and "Revisted" pull together the sounds of the seventies and eighties fusion and demonstrate Coryell's versatility. Packed with distortion, Larry's guitar hangs on every note, as we are pulled into a sonic maelstrom.

The album ends with a tribute to Wes Montgomery and Jimi Hendrix. Coryell combines the sounds of the two guitarists and makes us believe that they were right there in the studio.

If you enjoy fusion, you'll love this album.

Power chords, flying notes and a lot of soul describe this outing. Coryell, Coster and Smith are at their best, playing tunes reminiscent of Hendrix and the New Tony Williams Lifetime (of the 1970s). Coryell's guitar is burning, Coster's organ is blazing, and Smith's drums are scorching. I only wish there was more!

Guitarist Larry Coryell returns to his jazz-rock roots with "Cause and Effect" with both his chops and wits honed to a fast, dazzling precision, brilliantly aided with the Cobham-Williams styled drumming of former Journey stickman Steve Smith, and the effortless, toned athleticism of keyboardist Tom Coster. Remindful at times of the glory days of Tony Williams Lifetime (John McLaughlin edition) , this jazz power trio improvises up a storm. The rhythmic accent falls on the rock side, and the album stands as a revelation that jazz-rock as a form can still slam you against the wall wondering what wonderful experience just happened to you. Coryell has spend so much time in recent years producing tasteful and occasionally brilliant albums "in the tradition" that it's a delight , a true gift to fans and new listeners to have him stretching out, making a great noise, shredding the edge of accelerated ad libbing.A terrific trio.

i have been listening to Larry since 1975. he has always amazed me with his dexterity, and his compositions, not to mention working with some of the best musicians in music. i first saw Larry in 1978 in columbus ohio at the agora....he was opening for john mclaughlin and his one truth band. it was then i really feel in love with his playing.......from 11th house to twin house to his more recent adventures...he has always been at the forefront of jazz guitar.if anyone was curious about larry coryell i would wholeheartedly recommend this cd!

Part Mahavishnu Orchestra, part Return to Forever, this CD smokes. Larry Coryell, Tom Coster, and Steve Smith pull out all the stops to make this a fusion lovers dream come true. Screaming guitars, flying keyboards and thunderous drums (not to mention some great bass work)mix, tear apart and then mix again with all the musical complexity that makes Jazz-Fusion what it is. True fusion fans will have a feast of the ears and will be left with their mouth wide open in awe and their pulse raised to a level that it hasn't been in quite some time. If you like the Kenny-G type jazz that is out there now, avoid this CD like the plague. If you're the Fusion Freak who is always looking for old fusion albums that may have made it to CD then look no further. THIS ONE'S FOR YOU !!!