Private Concert
by darazn1 on Friday 11 November 2005

Here is a very interesting CD. When I want to share quality time with a treasured friend, I know that this CD will always provide an excellent backdrop for our conversations. Mellow, dynamic, emotive, and clear, Private Concert delivers on all fronts. And technically, Larry Coryell is number one.

When I sought to purchase this CD at Amazon.com, I was expecting a live recording. Nonetheless, this is the next best thing. When I received the CD, the notes on the back say that the perfromance of Moon River is 11:36 in length. I was excited to hear how this might be explored. Nonetheless, the performance was under 4 minutes, but timeless in quality. When I recently heard the original performance of this track (I'm not sure who sang it), I was impressed at how Larry Coryell captured the exact same heartfelt feeling through his performance as on the original. That aside, there is nothing else that is similar.

Sonny Moon for 2 starts things out with 2 guitars, Larry Coryell 1 on Lead, and Larry Coryell 2 on rhythm. Halfway through, they switch parts, in true duet form. The recording tone is exquisite, the performaces well paced, every note expressive, ringing like a bell; a quality that carries on throughout the disc.

Brother K opens the door to the soul, never restating the opening theme. Spring is Here takes us foward, and Pavane de la Bella au Bois Dormant blossoms with life.

Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year is another duet, pacing forth like a waterfall. The artificial harmonics at the end are a nice touch.

Something is of the same quality. According to the liner notes, the performances on this disc were recorded in a single day, and everything retains this incredible quality throughout. I'm probably a bit partial to the performance of Something from The Power Trio (Live in Chicago), and the arrangement is essentially the same. Nonetheless, the recording quality here is far superior, bringing every note and chord to life as though or a painting to be enjoyed in the mind, or with a friend.

Hot House is great, with a Brazillian flavor. For those with patience, they will notice Coryell burning his solos on this one. Prelude #2 (Gershwin) is one of my favorite tracks, with wonderful melodies and rhythms. Django Fantasy, the only Coryell original here, has a very unique flavor; a faster groove and greater contrasts. It builds off the Gershwin tune, combining elements from several other tracks, perhaps most notabley the tunes before and after.

Spanish Suite includes Concierto do Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo, with 2 guitars capturing the themes. Body and Soul and Moon River complete the set. The latter becomes so reflective, yet optimistic. A fine conclusion.

There are many slow albums that have been made that put me to sleep. This CD continually leaves me feeling enriched, focused, if not priveleged to experience again and again. For some reason, it is out of print. But if you wish, you can contact the distributor:

Acoustic Music Records . Postfach 1945
49009 Osnabrueck
Germany
tel. 011-49-541-71 00 20 fax 011-49-541-70 86 67
www.acoustic-music.de
email: [email protected]

Thanks so much to the Germans for their unfailing sense of musical taste! Seek out this disc if you are seeking pure musical treasures. I don't have a bad thing to say about this recording. The music is eternally heartfelt and fascinating. It never grows old, and it never tires me out. Do yourself a favor and find yourself a copy.

Daniel Raznick


Rating:

100%