Larry Carlton : Collection

Full title is: Collection

Length: 62:28

The All Music Guide rating for this album on a 1-9 scale (9=best) is: 7

The All Music Guide rating for this album among this artist's works on a 1-9 scale (9=best) is: 7

  Abraham Laboriel - Bass
  Al Jarreau - Vocals
  Alan Pasqua - Keyboards
  B.B. King - Guitar
  Bill Reichenbach Jr. - Horn
  Brian Mann - Organ, Synthesizer
  Dave Rouze - Drums
  David Pack - Vocals
  Dean Parks - Guitar (Rhythm)
  Don Freeman - Piano, Clavinet, Fender Rhodes
  Eric Pershing - Synthesizer, Keyboards
  Gary Grant - Horn
  Greg Mathieson - Keyboards
  Jeff Porcaro - Drums
  Jerry Hey - Horn
  Joe Pena - Bass
  Joe Sample - Piano, Keyboards, Fender Rhodes
  John 'J.R.' Robinson - Drums
  John Ferraro - Drums
  John Pena - Bass
  Kirk Whalum - Horn, Saxophone
  Larry Carlton - Guitar (Acoustic), Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, Main Performer
  Larry Williams - Woodwind
  Larry Williams - Woodwind
  Michael Brecker - Saxophone
  Michael Fischer - Percussion
  Michael Fisher - Percussion
  Michael McDonald - Keyboards
  Michele Pillar - Vocals
  Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion
  Pops Popwell - Bass
  Rick Marotta - Drums
  Robert Popwell - Bass
  Terry Trotter - Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards, Fender Rhodes, DX-7
  William Reichenbach - Horn

The first volume of GRP 's Larry Carlton Collection takes the listener from the beginning of his solo career up to 1990. Starting off with one cut from his first Warner Bros. album, Larry Carlton , the collection goes on to include two tracks each from Sleepwalk and Friends , two each from the acoustic guitar albums Alone/But Never Alone and Discovery , and one from On Solid Ground . In addition, the CD throws in two then-new tracks, 'Small Town Girl' and 'For Heaven's Sake' -- pleasant melodic pieces with acoustic guitar lead, nothing extraordinary. Along the way, you'll hear some very catchy tunes long identified with Carlton ( 'Smiles and Smiles to Go,' 'High Steppin',' and 'Minute by Minute' ), a mellower rendition of 'Nite Crawler' than the version he recorded as a Crusader , and the relaxed, funky 'Bubble Shuffle.' For some changes of pace, there is an affectionate tribute to the surf sounds from near his hometown of Torrance ( 'Sleepwalk' ), and one harder-edged number, 'Blues for TJ,' that finds Carlton crossing swords with B.B. King virtually as an equal. Mostly, though, this is ingratiating smooth jazz that very often transcends the conventions of the idiom. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide