Customer Reviews

Sapphire Blue

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this one after reading the Amazon reviewer and several customer reviews. Truth be told, I knew of Larry Carlton before but felt no need to check him out. It was that "smooth jazz" label that scared me away. I always thought of that type of music as something you listened to in the dentist's chair. Novocaine for the ears, as it were. Do I have a point? Maybe I do. Oh yeah, I think it was the fact that a label caused me to pass on listening to a very talented man. This album is not "smooth jazz". Whatever that is. "Saphire Blue" is an exercise in breathtaking guitar virtuosity done in a blues style. I phrase it that way because someone is going to pass on the album based on the fact that Larry is not an elderly African American man from Mississippi. It's the purist's loss. They'll miss out on the joy that comes from listening to a man who's at the top of his game and a master of his chosen profession.

The new Larry Carlton CD "Saphire Blue" is a true work of art! I always hope these days when I buy a CD that it's something from the artist where they finally said "DARN IT - I'm going to make a CD of music I WANT TO MAKE and make it my very best." Well, this CD sounds like Larry was able to do exactly that. This recording is just AWESOME. No watered down smooth jazz here what so ever. Very blues/fusion/r&b/organ/harmonica oriented - hence the title. Several cuts have REALLY smokin' horn section playin' - All with a very live feel. Players are all many of Nashville's finest. Larry wrote in the liners - "I have wanted for many years to do a blues oriented CD. For Sapphire Blue, I had complete creative freedom. It is a big part of my spirit captured on CD. I hope that all who listen will feel my joy." Believe me, it shows and sounds like it here!! Keep it coming this way Larry!

People who have listented to Carlton across the decades know that he's not a musician of limited range. I personally enjoy the Fourplay stuff as part of that range but my first question when I learned of his intention to release a blues album was "I wonder if he'll loosen up and let 'er rip" The answer: Yeah. Understand that this is not "Larry Carlton & Double Trouble," nor is it similar to his collaboration "No Substitutions" with Steve Lukather. It's not a Humble Pie CD. The album has a big band / swing blues feel on many tracks but the seriously nasty track...the one where he both plays AND sprays the notes...is the title track. It's eight minutes long and fulfills any "Carlton Plays The Blues" fantasies his fans might have. There are little touches of the "attitude" playing that graced so many of the classic Steely Dan tracks (and help build his legend). "Just An Excuse" is similar in spirit to many of Eric Clapton's slow and aggressive blues tracks, but he is NOT ripping EC off by any means. "Take Me Down," the album closer, prominently features Terry McMillan on harmonica and is the only track that never really catches fire...somewhat "Delta blues" but it never gets out of first gear. The CD is 48 minutes long, living up to the show business creed of "always leave 'em wanting more"...but 48 solid minutes from a master of the instrument like Carlton is absolutely worth the sticker price.

This is Larry Carlton the way we used to hear him...evokes "Room 335" and "Strikes Twice". Fat, stinging and yet soulful guitar tone, that makes you want to run and get your guitar and play along (however badly!). No one is as smooth as LC, no one bends like he does, and no one can do justice by imitating him! The King of Smooth...get this CD...

Anyone looking for the great Larry Carlton magic from days gone by... look no further! Absolutely killer playing and guitar tone. A must for any guitarist and blues fan.

With so many disappointments in modern music, Larry Carlton came through with the real blues on this new CD. Thank you Larry. Each song has a different feel and approach. All of them have the classic sound of Larry's Gibson 335. In addition to fine blues playing, Larry must have included about 25 guitar tricks within the tracks. He is one clever guy. This is a fine CD worth the money. I would have given it 5 stars if he had a bit more muscle in his guitar tone.
Also, if you haven't purchased a copy yet, PLEASE do yourself a big favor and buy Larry's "On Solid Ground" CD. It will make your fur stand up !

I have always been a fan of Larry's - from back in the Crusader days, through his side man work for Steely Dan, and the start of his solo career. This CD marks one of his best. The band is tight; the tunes are straight; perhaps we are coming out of the Dave Koz, Kenny G smooth jazz thing - back to real music that has some soul rather than just technical artistry.

I've recently just started listening to Jazz and am building a collection, slowly. Sapphire Blue was recommended to me by a fellow guitar player, knowing I really like the blues as well. Regardless of anyone's whining that this is steeped in blues, I personally love it. The blues runs, and jazzy backings are a great mix. Larry Carlton is fast becoming a favorite.

Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather No Substitutions Live in Osaka was my first time hearing LC, and that blew me away. Sapphire Blue did NOT let me down.

Definitely a 5 star album. I highly recommend it

This CD is awesome. Larry cranks out many different tunes from blues, rock, jazz and smooth jazz. Highly recommended. He plays a sweet lookin guitar as well.

I recently purchased "Sapphire Blue" about a month ago, knowing that this would be a special cd. I mean Larry Carlton is going to play the blues it must be special, right???

Not only is this cd special, it's very unique!!! I have never come across any material that would inspire me the way this 8-track cd has in the past month. Larry's smooth jazz guitar sound is in there, but he adds so much flavor and texture to all of these tracks. What I admire most is how Larry teams up with top-notch musicians in Tennessee to create the "soul" of this record. Every track is flawless and superb to say the least.

By flawless, I don't mean "perfect," but I mean that the record has so much soul! The record kicks off with "Friday Night Shuffle" and the horns come in with full driving force with Larry's signature guitar sound.

Then following this amazing song, is "A Pair of Kings" which really reminds me of some of the stuff Stevie Ray Vaughn did around 1983's "Texas Flood" and in the early eighties. The song is unique because it encompasses the type of music that will make you tap your foot and just say, "Yeah!"

My favorite track on this record is "7 for You." This reminds me of Carlton's early recordings with Steely Dan or the Crusaders. It's such a nice fusion song and when the saxophone comes in with the heavy bass, it just blows me away!!

Finally, Carlton ends the cd with his remarkable acoustic guitar and the harmonica on "Take Me Down." This reminds me of being in the old countryside or in Mississippi. It has a very "Delta" blues sound, that will please almost any listener, especially someone who appreciates the roots of blues.

All in all, this is a superb record. I highly recommend this cd to anyone who not only wants to hear blues, but just GOOD music in general. PLEASE buy this cd!! You won't regret it!!

Nick Kalenze.