Larry Carlton
Category: Music
Larry Carlton is many things to many people. For all, he is a consummate guitarist with tone, phrasing, and note choice to die for. So you know where I'm coming from, my introduction to LC was with "Last Nite" which is one of my favorites and is the standard by which I judge his other albums. If you like "Last Nite" you should also like "Fire Wire."
Similarly, if you're a Beck fan (Jeff Beck, of couse, who else??) from the Wired, Truth, Blow by Blow era you will like this album. Although not as twisted as Beck, it has the same cool vibe and the touch that only Larry Carlton can bring to the table.
Fire Wire is rock oriented with elements of blues, jazz, and funk fused and sprinkled throughout. He also has a top notch horn section (sapphire blue) backing him, which is way cool. If you're a tone connoissuer this album has the magic. Maybe its the double amplification. Maybe its the touch. Maybe its the Gibson ES-335. Either way, this album has the goods when its comes to tone and production. In this respect, the song "Naked Truth" is worth the price of admission. Although Larry Carlton will sound like Larry Carlton no matter what equipment he uses, there just is a magic touch to the sound on Fire Wire.
This is not the smooth jazz that some may expect from Larry Carlton from times more recent. It is rough and ready RnR, softer contemplative moments, and get up and dance grooves. This is the second step in his comeback that commenced with Sapphire Blue (a great blues based album with horns!). Larry Carlton garnered quite a following with his smooth jazz explorations, but they never quite delivered for all his fans. I always wanted something more because I've seen him tear down the house in concert and wanted that vibe back in his studio efforts. This is it. Run don't walk to buy this one!
One of the must haves in the Larry Carlton catalog and not to be missed. Clearly one of his strongest performances to date. It won't be everyones cup of tea, especially those used to his smooth jazz and work with Fourplay. But those of us who remember his early days, will embrace this latest offering and say Larry is back!
