13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tal's Best, October 20, 2001
This review is from: Quartet (Audio CD)
I first heard this record when I was a freshman student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1974 which had an excellent library of reel to reel tape recordings.My instrument was the guitar of course. Whenever I had time between or after classes I would go up to the library to listen to this outstanding record.I had never even heard of Tal Farlow until I read an interview with my hero of the time;guitarist John McLaughlin who said how Tal had been a big influence and inspiration for him.Well, I figured if McLaughlin liked him then this guy must be pretty good and I better check him out. Anyway, after my first listen to the "Tal Farlow Quartet" recording I soon forgot all about John McLaughlin.Almost 30 years later I listen to this recording and am still amazed. I now own alot of Tal's recordings and can say that this was his best ever. Why? Several reasons. First of all,Tal's playing is cleaner here than his later recordings where he unfortunately got sloppier in his playing. Second of all the arrangements for the guitars of Tal and accompanying guitarist Don Arnone are brilliant and extremely advanced for the time.In fact, I have still yet to hear anything for two jazz guitars in a quartet setting or even duo that comes remotely close to the modern voicings and uniqueness of Tal and Don on this record.Third,drummer,Joe Morello( Dave Brubeck's drummer). Morello's brushwork alone proves what a genius he was. Listen to the opening track of Rogers and Hart's "Lover". This for me is the most exciting track on the album. Farlow's solo is one of the all time greatest jazz guitar solos ever recorded. His speed is only surpassed by his inventive ideas. His incredible solo on this cut climaxes into the tune's melody voiced in modern chords of both him and Don Arnone.The other tracks are great also."Rock and Rye" and "Splash" are particularly delightful as is the wonderful old Cole Porter standard "All through the night".Okay...enuff of my reminiscing and salivation.If you love jazz guitar as much as I do then you really ought to buy this record. It is a limited edition so don't wait too long. ...it's worth it. Tal was truly one in a million.
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