Tal Farlow - The Complete Verve Tal Farlow Sessions [2004] (7 x CDs)

 

SUNDAY JAZZ

TAL FARLOW

Tal Farlow - The Complete Verve Tal Farlow Sessions [2004] (7 x CDs)

Tal Farlow, was an innovative self-taught jazz guitarist who influenced generations of guitarists following in his footsteps. Although some of his peak years as a recording artist occurred during his association with Verve between 1954 and 1959, relatively few of the tracks were available for decades until the release of this comprehensive Mosaic box set. The music is consistently brilliant, as the leader's solos seem to evolve effortlessly, often finding fresh ground in the many standards and classic jazz compositions performed in this set. Aside from the three opening tracks from Farlow's days as a member of vibraphonist Red Norvo's trio, the guitarist is the leader. His meeting with fellow guitarist Barry Galbraith (with bassist Oscar Pettiford and a surprisingly restrained Joe Morello on drums) is highlighted by his intricate original "Gibson Boy." The sessions with pianist Gerry Wiggins, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Chico Hamilton focus primarily on standards, though "And She Remembers Me" is an obvious reworking of "I'll Remember April"; the rapid-fire take of "Cherokee" takes top honors. Two separate dates with pianist Claude Williamson and bassist Red Mitchell (one which adds drummer Stan Levey) stick exclusively to standards, with plenty of lively interplay. Two sessions with West Coast stylists including valve trombonist Bob Enevoldsen, tenor saxophonist Bill Perkins, and baritone saxophonist Bob Gordon complement Farlow's sound very well. It is surprising that producer Norman Granz did not initially release a unique date with Oscar Pettiford (on cello) as a second front-line instrument, with the outstanding rhythm section of Hank Jones, Ray Brown, and Louie Bellson. Highlights from this meeting include the cellist's "Swingin' Till the Girls Come Home," "Jordu," and two takes of "Bernie's Tune." A regular working trio led by Farlow with pianist Eddie Costa (who died far too young following a car wreck in 1962) and bassist Vinnie Burke produced three separate albums (with Knobby Totah or Bill Takas taking Burke's place on the final session). The chemistry between Farlow and Costa is readily apparent. Another musician who died far too young, Belgian flutist and tenor saxophonist Bobby Jaspar, joined the guitarist, bassist Milt Hinton, and drummer Osie Johnson for three numbers featuring Farlow on an acoustic instrument for the first time, producing the kind of jazz that only true aficionados can appreciate. A larger group with saxophonist and flutist Frank Wess, trombonist Benny Powell, pianist Dick Hyman, and baritone saxophonist Charles Fowlkes delves into the music of Harold Arlen, including several long overlooked songs composed for the musical Saratoga along with some of his best-known works, though at times their unfamiliarity with some of the tunes and each other is apparent. The detailed booklet contains many rare photos of Farlow and the men who worked with him, along with an informative analysis by fellow guitarist Howard Alden. This limited-edition collection should be on every jazz guitar fan's wish list. (AMG review by Ken Dryden)

This Mosaic boxest is ideal if you like jazz guitar and Tal was a very rare player. Any jazz musician will love this! Guitar players will have a new hero after hearing this, if he wasn't one already.

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Pt.1      Pt.2     Pt.3 

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Track lists

CD1

01 Tal Farlow - Tenderly 2:51

02 Tal Farlow - I Remember You 3:25

03 Tal Farlow - Skylark 3:18

04 Tal Farlow - If There's Someone Lovelier Than You 2:44

05 Tal Farlow - With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair (10'' Lp Tk) 3:02

06 Tal Farlow - My Old Flame 3:35

07 Tal Farlow - Gibson Boy 2:45

08 Tal Farlow - You And The Night And The Music 3:42

09 Tal Farlow - Love Nest 2:45

10 Tal Farlow - Blues In The Closet 2:50

11 Tal Farlow - Everything I've Got 3:31

12 Tal Farlow - With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair (12'' Lp Tk) 3:03

13 Tal Farlow - Everything I've Got (alt Tk) 3:29

14 Tal Farlow - I Like To Recognize The Tune 3:11

15 Tal Farlow - Strike Up The Band 3:28

16 Tal Farlow - Autumn In New York 5:05

17 Tal Farlow - And She Remembers Me 4:24

18 Tal Farlow - Little Girl Blue 3:24

19 Tal Farlow - Have You Met Miss Jones? 4:58

20 Tal Farlow - Tal's Blues 5:12

21 Tal Farlow - Cherokee 4:54

CD2

01 Tal Farlow - These Foolish Things 2:53

02 Tal Farlow - I Remember You 4:15

03 Tal Farlow - How Deep Is The Ocean 4:01

04 Tal Farlow - Fascinating Rhythm 3:51

05 Tal Farlow - Manhattan 3:18

06 Tal Farlow - Autumn Leaves 1:43

07 Tal Farlow - It's You Or No One 3:28

08 Tal Farlow - Tenderly 4:37

09 Tal Farlow - There Will Never Be Another You 3:49

10 Tal Farlow - Just One Of Those Things 3:04

11 Tal Farlow - Out Of Nowhere 5:29

12 Tal Farlow - Walkin' 5:29

13 Tal Farlow - Moonlight Becomes You 4:26

14 Tal Farlow - On The Alamo 4:10

15 Tal Farlow - Will You Still Be Mine 4:03

16 Tal Farlow - Lorinesque 4:17

17 Tal Farlow - Bye Bye Baby 4:10

CD3

01 Tal Farlow - Lullaby Of The Leaves 3:47

02 Tal Farlow - Stompin' At The Savoy 3:17

03 Tal Farlow - This Is Always 3:07

04 Tal Farlow - Tea For Two 2:57

05 Tal Farlow - I Wished On The Moon 7:09

06 Tal Farlow - Swingin' Till The Girls Come Home 6:48

07 Tal Farlow - Jordu 5:37

08 Tal Farlow - The Way You Look Tonight 4:43

09 Tal Farlow - Bernie's Tune 8:36

10 Tal Farlow - I Wished On The Moon (alt Tk) 7:09

11 Tal Farlow - Bernie's Tune (alt Tk) 8:40

CD4

01 Tal Farlow - Taking A Chance On Love 4:44

02 Tal Farlow - Yardbird Suite 5:18

03 Tal Farlow - You Stepped Out Of A Dream 5:41

04 Tal Farlow - They Can't Take That Away From Me 5:44

05 Tal Farlow - Like Someone In Love 6:41

06 Tal Farlow - Meteor 6:39

07 Tal Farlow - I Love You 5:34

08 Tal Farlow - Gone With The Wind 5:22

09 Tal Farlow - Taking A Chance On Love (alt Tk) 4:49

10 Tal Farlow - Yardbird Suite (alt Tk) 4:51

11 Tal Farlow - Gone With The Wind (alt Tk) 5:27

12 Tal Farlow - Taking A Chance On Love (breakdown) 1:09

CD5

01 Tal Farlow - Isn't It Romantic 10:11

02 Tal Farlow - (there Is) No Greater Love 3:58

03 Tal Farlow - How About You? 6:04

04 Tal Farlow - Anything Goes 5:10

05 Tal Farlow - Yesterdays 5:54

06 Tal Farlow - You Don't Know What Love Is 4:22

07 Tal Farlow - Chuckles 4:59

08 Tal Farlow - Broadway 6:19

CD6

01 Tal Farlow - Lean On Me 4:12

02 Tal Farlow - Wonder Why 4:54

03 Tal Farlow - Night And Day 4:23

04 Tal Farlow - Stella By Starlight 3:35

05 Tal Farlow - The More I See You 4:51

06 Tal Farlow - All The Things You Are 4:24

07 Tal Farlow - How Long Has This Been Going On? 4:15

08 Tal Farlow - Topsy 3:40

09 Tal Farlow - 'deed I Do 3:30

10 Tal Farlow - We'll Be Together Again 3:26

11 Tal Farlow - We'll Be Together Again (alt 1) 4:32

12 Tal Farlow - We'll Be Together Again (alt 2) 3:21

13 Tal Farlow - The More I See You (breakdowns) 3:55

14 Tal Farlow - 'deed I Do (breakdowns) 5:26

15 Tal Farlow - We'll Be Together Again (breakdowns) 2:03

CD7

01 Tal Farlow - A Foggy Day 3:23

02 Tal Farlow - The Man In My Life 4:47

03 Tal Farlow - Sweet Lorraine 5:28

04 Tal Farlow - Wess Side 4:39

05 Tal Farlow - Telefunky 6:29

06 Tal Farlow - Blue Funk 7:41

07 Tal Farlow - Saratoga 5:16

08 Tal Farlow - Blues In The Night 6:49

09 Tal Farlow - Hit The Road To Dreamland 4:57

10 Tal Farlow - For Every Man There's A Woman 4:24

11 Tal Farlow - As Long As I Live 6:33

12 Tal Farlow - Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea 3:07

13 Tal Farlow - Petticoat High 4:41

14 Tal Farlow - One Step - Two Step 3:12

15 Tal Farlow - Lessons In Love 3:13

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