Larry Carlton "Sapphire Blue"

Larry Carlton "Sapphire Blue"

album cover

Larry Carlton
Sapphire Blue
The Story
In a way, this album is long overdue. Fans have gotten used to hearing Carlton play the blues at his shows. In fact, he admits that these performances are a high point as much for him as they are for his audience. "It doesn't matter what they've come to hear," he explains. "When I play the blues, that's when I most passionately connect with them and with my guitar." "Sapphire Blue" proves the point. Backed by a crisp rhythm section and buoyed by Jim Horn's razor-edged horn arrangements, Carlton stretches out on a set of original, groove-driven tunes with that unique blend of melodic inventiveness, singing tone, and swing that define his style as well as the best elements of playing the blues. "There are some sophisticated harmonies in these compositions -- after all, I was born in 1948, not in 1920," he points out. "But "Sapphire Blue" is mainly about saying more with less, with making major statements in a basic format. I've always admired that quality; even when John Coltrane was doing his most advanced harmonic things, you could break his statements down to something elegant, something you could easily hum." "Sapphire Blue" is an extremely important milestone in Carlton's career.
The Music
04:25 Friday Night Shuffle Instrumental
05:50 A Pair Of Kings Instrumental
08:10 Night Sweats Instrumental
08:14 Sapphire Blue Instrumental
05:06 7 For You Instrumental
05:52 Slightly Dirty Instrumental
05:09 Just An Excuse Instrumental
05:42 Take Me Down Instrumental
The Artists
Larry Carlton Guitar, Production
Michael Rhodes Bass
Billy Kilson Drums
Matt Rollings Fender Rhodes
Reese Wynan B-3 Organ
Terry McMillan Harmonica
Eric Darken Percussion
Steve Patrick Trumpet
Chris Dunn Trombone
Mark Douthit Tenor Sax & Solos
Jim Horn Horn Arrangements, Baritone Sax
Csaba Petocz Engineering, Mixing
Todd Gunnerson Tracking Assistance
Mark Capps Horn Engineering
Aldo Ruggiero Additional Engineering
Sonny Abelardo Album Coordination
Jim McGuire Photography
Jack Frisch Art Direction, Design
Recorded at The Sound Kitchen, Nashville, Tennessee, April 3 & 4, 2003.

Mixed at The Panic Room, Los Angeles, California.

Horns recorded at The Sound Shop, Nashville, Tennessee.