Larry Coryell
Prime Picks: The Virtuoso Guitar of Larry Coryell
High Note Records
www.jazzdepot.com

Kenny Burrell
Be Yourself: Live at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola
High Note Records
www.jazzdepot.com
By George W. Harris

Wanna be a guitarist when you grow up? Look no further than these two releases, my friend. Yes, there are millions of guys out there, vying for your attention with the latest six-stringed trend, and they will lead you on with gimmicks like loops, playbacks and distortion, but nothing does it like a smooth and tastefully swinging solo, and these two guys have it down like they were weaned on it.

Larry Coryell’s release is actually a composite of the guitarists favorite picks on the High Note label. He obviously knows what he’s good at, as he selects ten wonderfully flowing tunes, includes concert gigs in Chicago and sessions at the famous Rudy Van Gelder studio, with the songs ranging from solo, trio, quartet to sextet. His solo excursion of “Something” is something ELSE, while the trio work with John Hicks/p and Paul Wertico/dr delivers an homage to Wes Montgomery on “Bumpin’ On Sunset” that you just won’t want to end. By the time this disc was over, my neck was as supple as a rubber band!

Meanwhile, for his 100th and something release, Kenny Barron puts together a seamless band (Tivon Pennicott/ts-fl, Benny Green/p, Peter Washington/b and Clayton Cameron/dr) for 70+ minutes of timeless music. His gorgeously blue sound resonates on “Tin Tin Teo” as well as the solo title track. Green (when is he putting out something on his own) is right on the money all through the evening, laying out flowing solos on “Blue Bossa” and “Rain Check” while Pennicott’s tenor oozes like lava on “In A Sentimental Mood.” If it sounds so easy to play when you hear it; how come no one can do it? Memorize this one-It fits like a navy blue blazer.