UK Import
You didn't ask, but at some point during my usual morning routine I'll sit down at the computer with a cup of black coffee or espresso lungo and play a few games (Wordle, Byrdle, Bandle, sudoku, daily challenges, etc) to get the ol' brain up and running again. The music soundtrack for these action-packed mornings is usually quite sedate - Rock You Like A Hurricane need not apply. I've got a playlist I've simply titled "Mornin'" and yes it includes the Al Jarreau song with which it shares a title. Oftentimes, however, I'll simply pull up Earl Klugh tunes, click the shuffle button, and have the fates determine which of the 160+ tracks I'll hear. It's all good stuff, perfect for my mornings. So when I saw yet another great Klugh threefer from BGO, I didn't hesitate. And with that purchase (my third such Klugh set), I completed my Klugh discography 1976-1995 while providing more songs for the morning shuffle.
Klugh was classically trained and has had a successful career using playing this music using that technique. I like it all and have liked the smooth sound since I first heard Klugh in the mid-'80s. The usual beef comes from people who feel the need the categorize: the music is too easy listening to be jazz and too jazzy to be easy listening. I couldn't care less.
It should go without saying that the remastering here by BGO sounds fantastic, but I'm going to mention it anyway because it does.
EARL KLUGH (1976)
8 tracks, 39 minutes
8 tracks, 39 minutes
Recorded when Klugh was 22 years old but already a veteran in the field, most notably as part of George Benson's band. This album was originally released on the Blue Note label and produced by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen. Guests include Lee Ritenour, Harvey Mason, and Pete Christlieb. Grusin's arrangements often overpower the acoustic guitar, but that's a minor complaint.
Reviews/ratings:
- Record World: "An across the board winner."
- CashBox: "His deft handling of the classical guitar lends a rich elegance to pop hits"
- Downbeat (★★★½): "Melodic interpretation would seem to be Klugh's strong point."
- The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★
Album chart peaks:
- US Billboard 200: #124
- Billboard Jazz: #16
- CashBox: #189
- CashBox Jazz: #19
- Record World Jazz: #22
Tracks: 8 tracks, including 3 Klugh originals. The best cut is a beautiful take on the Bill Evans standard, Waltz For Debby. Other highlights are the covers of Could It Be I'm Falling In Love and Laughter In The Rain plus the Klugh original Angelina.
LIVING INSIDE YOUR LOVE (1976)
7 tracks, 37 minutes
7 tracks, 37 minutes
Sounds much like its predecessor because this album Blue Note release was again produced by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen. Guests include Ralph MacDonald, Eddie Daniels, and Steve Gadd. Maybe some "sophomore slump" but the drop in quality is negligible.
Reviews/ratings:
- Stereo Review: "The selections here are generally ho-hum stuff, and they're played accordingly."
- Record World: "the finesse of his playing is his most convincing selling point."
- The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★
Album chart peaks:
- US Billboard 200: #188
- Billboard Jazz: #8
- Billboard R&B: #58
- CashBox: #182
- CashBox Jazz: #12
- Record World Jazz: #13
Tracks: The best tracks are the originals Felicia, the title track, and the subtle take on Bacharach's The April Fools. The cover of I Heard It Through The Grapevine falls flat.
MAGIC IN YOUR EYES (1978)
9 tracks, 33 minutes
9 tracks, 33 minutes
Note: this release was originally purchased as a LP, later replaced by this CD set.
This album is slightly different than the other two because of production by the legendary Booker T. Jones, who did the producing and some string arrangements, but no playing. I would have asked for at least one organ solo, but I guess that wasn't a priority for either Earl or Booker. Jones's production brings Klugh to the front and lessens the emphasis on strings. This would become what I consider to be Klugh's signature sound. Guests include Greg Phillinganes, Paulinho da Costa, and one of Klugh's major influences, Chet Atkins. And, if I'm not mistaken, this album introduced Gene Dunlap as Klugh's regular drummer. There's steel guitar on three tracks, but it never sounds like it belongs.
Reviews/ratings:
- CashBox: "Klugh continues to impress"
- Billboard: "mellow, lyrical instrumental in a pop/jazz vein."
- The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★
Album chart peaks:
- US Billboard 200: #139
- Billboard Jazz: #4
- CashBox: #137
- CashBox Jazz: #6
- Record World Jazz: #8
Tracks: 9 tracks including 6 Klugh originals. The best track is the title track, followed by Julie, Rose Hips, Cry A Little While, and the cover of Guaraldi's standard, Cast Your Fate To The Wind. Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues is a - errrrr - interesting choice for a cover track, but contributions by Atkins saves the thing.
Previously revisited for the blog:
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