Search - Earl Klugh :: The Earl Klugh Trio, Vol. 1

A JOYOUS, SUPERB PERFORMANCE BY THE ACOUSTICAL MASTER & TRIO

RBSProds | Deep in the heart of Texas | 08/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Five Wonderful Stars!! Earl Klugh, the acoustical jazz guitar master, displays most of his musical virtuoso arsenal with this very pleasing and jazzy CD. Covering a wide-range of songs from the TV theme for "Bewitched" to wonderful off-center standards like "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life" and Neal Hefti's "Lonely Girl", he puts on a dazzling display of guitar fingering wizardry. Those who try to relegate Mr Klugh to the "smooth jazz" corner of jazz may be surprised by his hot blazing runs, well-plotted solo arcs, unique arrangements, those magical overtones that hang in the air, and his overall tasteful musicianship. But not those of us who have been enjoying Mr Klugh for many years. Search the musical universe and you'll hear no one else that comes close to his wonderful acoustical sound, fully on display here. And the overall trio performance shows three "melded" minds that understand their musical mission and swing as tightly as anyone out there. Bassist Ralph Armstrong (great thematic arco bass solo on "Night and Day") and drummer Gene Dunlap (check out his 'samba school' tags on "One Note Samba") are superb in support and solo. This is an all-occasion musical experience: listening, driving, partying, or background (but he'll keep distracting you with his runs): it works beautifully on all levels.



My "Pieces De Resistance", the best of the best, begin with a 'latin to 4/4 beat' tempo shifting of "I'll Remember April", a joyous "Days of Wine and Roses", a lovely loping "Love Theme from 'Spartacus'", a great version of "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life" at two tempos, and a stupendous tight-swinging "Night and Day" with Klugh adding exciting new flavors to these attractive standards. Most songs come in around the 4 to 5 minute mark and the sound is great. Winners All !!! A sure-fire hit for your personal listening pleasure or as a "can't miss" present for ANY music fan. Earl Klugh is a MARVEL! Five ENJOYABLE Stars!!!

"

This is the REAL 'best of earl klugh' - look no further...fo

gk | 07/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is it.

If anyone ever had any doubts about Earl being a 'sellout' (ala criticisms of Wes Montgomery, etc.) - listen to this and then shut your mouth!

Earl is one of the greatest pure jazz guitarists in history. Period.



I have no criticism for any great artist who chooses to make 10 times the money for 'going commercial' when they could instead stay poor.



Earl has certainly 'gone commercial' - but the dude can play!!!

Congratulations Earl! For being the best and making money at it on the side.



This CD probably didn't sell as well as many of the commercial releases but it is worth 10 times the value of any other Earl Klugh CD.



Nuff said."