Earl Klugh - Earl Klugh (1976)/Living Inside Your Love (1976)/Magic In Your Eyes (1978)

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.

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EARL KLUGH (1976)
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.

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LIVING INSIDE YOUR LOVE (1976)
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.

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MAGIC IN YOUR EYES (1978)
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:

Move (1994)	Collaboration (1987)
Cool (1992)	Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)
Midnight in San Juan (1991)	Nightsongs (1984)
Volume One (1991)	Two of a Kind (1982)
The Best of Earl Klugh (1991)	Late Night Guitar (1980)
Whispers & Promises (1989)	How To Beat The High Cost Of Living (1980)
Solo Guitar (1989)
Dream Come True (1980)/Crazy For You (1981)/Low Ride (1983)
Finger Paintings (1977)/Heart String (1979)/Wishful Thinking (1984)

Earl Klugh - Solo Guitar (1989)

Klugh interpreting 14 standards on solo acoustic guitar, no accompaniment, no overdubs. And that's really all that needs to be said.

Reviews/ratings:

• Musician: "by far the best record Klugh's made."
• CashBox: "Pretty, but lightweight"
• Billboard: "delightfully unpretentious"
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Jazz: #4
• CashBox Traditional Jazz: #4

Tracks: They're all good, but I'll pick a few favorites (^★) this morning:

1. It's Only A Paper Moon - music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose (1933)
2. So Many Stars - music by Sérgio Mendes, lyrics by Marilyn Bergman (1968)
3. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You) - music by Chris Smith, lyrics by Al Neiburg (1930)
4. If I Only Had A Brain^★ - music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Yip Harburg (1939)
5. Emily - music by Johnny Mandel, lyrics by Johnny Mercer (1964)
6. Love Is Here To Stay^★ - music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin (1938)
7. Someday My Prince Will Come^★ - music by Frank Churchill, lyrics by Larry Morey (1937)
8. Any Old Time Of The Day - music by Burt Bacharach, lyrics by Hal David (1964)
9. Embraceable You - music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin (1930)
10. I'm All Smiles - music by Michael Leonard and lyrics by Herbert Martin (1965)
11. You Make Me Feel So Young^★ - music by Josef Myrow, lyrics by Mack Gordon (1946)
12. Autumn Leaves - music by Joseph Kosma, French lyrics by Jacques Prévert, English lyrics by Johnny Mercer (1945)
13. The Way You Look Tonight^★ - music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Dorothy Fields (1936)

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None.

Previously revisited for the blog:

Move (1994)	Cool (1992)
Midnight in San Juan (1991)	The Best of Earl Klugh (1991)
Volume One (1991)	Whispers & Promises (1989)
Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)	Collaboration (1987)
Two of a Kind (1982)	Nightsongs (1984)
Late Night Guitar (1980)	How To Beat The High Cost Of Living (1980)
Dream Come True (1980)/Crazy For You (1981)/Low Ride (1983)
Finger Paintings (1977)/Heart String (1979)/Wishful Thinking (1984)

Earl Klugh - Whispers And Promises (1989)

I consider myself an Earl Klugh fan, but this just isn't his best effort. Inconsistent and derivative. I'll stick with his other releases.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #150
• Billboard contemporary jazz: #5
• CashBox contemporary jazz: #7

Tracks: I like the lead track, What Love Can Do, along with Fall In Love and Whispers And Promises. Skip track 6, Summer Nights, which is absolutely ruined by synth drums and bass. We also get a derivative tango as well as songs that sound like they're lifted directly from Al Jarreau, Tom Scott, and Klugh himself.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None. I just couldn't pass this thing by as it sat in a used CD bin.

Previously revisited for the blog:

Move (1994)	Cool (1992)
Midnight in San Juan (1991)	The Best of Earl Klugh (1991)
Volume One (1991)	Collaboration (1987)
Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)	Nightsongs (1984)
Two of a Kind (1982)	How To Beat The High Cost Of Living (1980)
Late Night Guitar (1980)
Dream Come True (1980)/Crazy For You (1981)/Low Ride (1983)
Finger Paintings (1977)/Heart String (1979)/Wishful Thinking (1984)

Bob James/Earl Klugh - Cool (1992)

This album is pleasurable enough, just not very memorable. I'm not sure what it is about the collaborations between these two that seem to bring out the bland in each other. James has had good collaborations (I'm thinking specifically of Double Vision) and so has Klugh (Laws and Benson come to mind) so I don't know why this one never gets me going. But it was a #1 album so what do I know? I guess it's decent enough for your Sunday jazz brunch next weekend. Whaddaya mean you don't have a jazz brunch every Sunday?

Reviews/ratings:

• CashBox: "an exceptional jazz album"
• Billboard: "a pleasant quartet set that's as elegantly performed as it is emotionally toothless"
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #170
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #1
• Billboard R&B: #88

Tracks: Of the 12 tracks, 4 were written by Klugh, 5 were written by James, and they wrote one together. I tend to gravitate towards the Klugh originals, the best of which is The Sponge.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Two of a Kind (1982)

Hubert Laws & Earl Klugh - How To Beat The High Cost Of Living (1980)

2013 Wounded Bird reissue.

Soundtrack for a 1980 caper comedy starring Susan St. James, Jane Curtin, and Jessica Lange. In preparation for this post, I watched said movie and while I wouldn't watch it again, I didn't switch it off. If you're interested, there's a good summary/retro-review over at F This Movie.

And while there's some big names performing on the soundtrack, giving Laws and Klugh top billing was no doubt a marketing ploy. If you read the fine print, all the music is composed and conducted by prolific soundtrack composer Patrick Williams. So while I was hoping for some of Klugh's smooth jazz goodness, he's just a hired hand playing a typical soundtrack score - unobtrusive by design. It's not terrible, but it makes me wonder what an actual collaboration between Laws and Klugh might have sounded like. The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999) gives it 3 of 5 stars which seems a little high to me.

Billboard and Record World

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #134
• Billboard Jazz: #21
• CashBox: #134
• CashBox Jazz: #10
• Record World Jazz: #9

Tracks: 10 tracks, 32 minutes. The lead track, Down River, has a catchy bass line, courtesy of studio veteran Neil Steubenhaus. If I recall correctly, Down River is the main theme for the movie and that bass lick appears in other tracks. The best cut is Dream Something, featuring Klugh. The remainder is harmless soundtrack fare.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Move (1994)
Midnight in San Juan (1991)
The Best of Earl Klugh (1991)
Volume One (1991)
Collaboration (1987)
Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)
Nightsongs (1984)
Two of a Kind (1982)
Dream Come True (1980)/Crazy For You (1981)/Low Ride (1983)
Late Night Guitar (1980)
Finger Paintings (1977)/Heart String (1979)/Wishful Thinking (1984)

Earl Klugh - Nightsongs (1984)

Very faintly, in the bottom left corner of the front cover, we're offered a subtitle: "More Late Night Guitar." That suggests this album is a sequel to Klugh's 1980 offering, Late Night Guitar. And if the two albums weren't recorded at the same session, you coulda fooled me. A quick check of those albums' credits proves that is not the case, but that doesn't change the fact these are two of a kind: calm, quiet, orchestrated tunes (mostly standards) with gentle melodies provided by Klugh on acoustic guitar. So peaceful and relaxing, I don't recommend listening during daylight hours - these are truly Nightsongs. And, of course, pair it with the 1980 album.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #107
• Billboard Jazz: #4
• Billboard R&B: #42
• CashBox: #117
• CashBox Jazz: #3

Tracks:

While it's all good, my top picks today are The Look Of Love, See See Rider, and A Certain Smile.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, but it was released around the time I was discovering Klugh's music so I'm surprised I never picked it up then.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Move (1994)
Midnight in San Juan (1991)
The Best of Earl Klugh (1991)
Volume One (1991)
Collaboration (1987)
Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)
Two of a Kind (1982)
Dream Come True (1980)/Crazy For You (1981)/Low Ride (1983)
Late Night Guitar (1980)
Finger Paintings (1977)/Heart String (1979)/Wishful Thinking (1984)

Earl Klugh - Dream Come True (1980)/Crazy For You (1981)/Low Ride (1983)

UK Import

Three albums on 2 CDs from the master of nylon string guitar smooth jazz. Thanks, BGO. In 1984, I discovered Klugh while a freshman in college and I've been a fan ever since. I find it impossible to stay in a bad mood while listening to Klugh play guitar. Sure, the music can be lightweight at times, but sometimes that's just what you need.

Excellent remastering job. Well done.

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DREAM COME TRUE (1980)
8 tracks, 36 minutes

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #42
• Billboard: #4
• Billboard R&B: #22
• CashBox: #58
• CashBox Jazz: #2
• Record World Jazz: #3

CashBox, April 5, 1980, p. 11

Tracks: Nothing worth skipping, but my top picks are If It's In Your Heart (It's In Your Smile), Amazon, Spellbound (a great uptempo track nicely hijacked by a Greg Phillinganes solo), and the relaxing title track.

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CRAZY FOR YOU (1981)
8 tracks, 38 minutes

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #53
• Billboard Jazz: #2
• Billboard R&B: #14
• CashBox: #59
• CashBox Jazz: #3
• Record World Jazz: #3

Billboard, November 7, 1981, p. 78

Tracks: So many good tracks here, all written by Klugh himself, nice variety of styles. I wouldn't skip any but will single out the lead track, I'm Ready For Your Love as well as Twinkle (with a great bass solo from Louis Johnson of the Brothers Johnson).

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LOW RIDE (1983)
8 tracks, 37 minutes

Note: this release was originally purchased as a LP, later replaced by this CD set.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #38
• Billboard Jazz: #2
• Billboard R&B: #27
• CashBox: #40
• CashBox Jazz: #1
• Radio & Records Jazz Radio National Airplay: #1

CashBox, May 21, 1983, p. 12

Tracks: This album leans a little more R&B than smooth jazz, but when the lead instrument is acoustic guitar it never really crosses the line. Again, don't skip any tracks. I like the funky (If You Want To) Be My Love, the title track, and the beautiful ballad Christina.

Previously revisited for the blog:

Move (1994)	Collaboration (1987)
Midnight in San Juan (1991)	Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)
The Best of Earl Klugh (1991)	Two of a Kind (1982)
Volume One (1991)	Late Night Guitar (1980)
Finger Paintings (1977)/Heart String (1979)/Wishful Thinking (1984)

Earl Klugh - Move (1994)

Klugh's 17th studio album finds his acoustic guitar stylings once again bringing pleasure to these ears of mine. There's some odd production and arrangement choices that somewhat date the tunes here. And who put vocals on a Klugh album?? That's out of character for Klugh, but that doesn't mean that's it's a bad album, just different. It all makes for an album that doesn't get heard from top-to-bottom very often, but fits in nicely in Klugh tune shuffles, which soundtrack my mornings more often than I'll admit.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Jazz: #6

Tracks: My favorites are the Far From Home, The Highway Song, Winter Rain, and the funk-lite of Nightwalk. A few of the tunes have a pseudo-African 'Lion King' vibe to them, i.e. Across The Sand (pts 1 & 2), Tiptoein'.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Midnight in San Juan (1991)
The Best of Earl Klugh (1991)
Volume One (1991)
Collaboration (1987)
Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)
Two of a Kind (1982)
Late Night Guitar (1980)
Finger Paintings (1977)/Heart String (1979)/Wishful Thinking (1984)

Earl Klugh - Finger Paintings (1977)/Heart String (1979)/Wishful Thinking (1984)

UK Import

Three albums on 2 CDs from the master of nylon string guitar smooth jazz. Thanks, BGO. Over 30 years ago, I discovered Klugh while in college with the help of the latter two of these albums. I find it impossible to stay in a bad mood while listening to Klugh play guitar.

Excellent remastering job on these plus a fantastic liner note booklet that includes full credits as well as a nice essay by Charles Waring, jazz columnist for Record Collector and contributor to MOJO and Wax Poetics. Well done.

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FINGER PAINTINGS (1977)
9 tracks, 37 minutes

Produced by Dave Grusin and his fingerprints are all over this one. The album features plenty of studio heavies: Steve Gadd, Lee Ritenour, Harvey Mason, Ralph McDonald, and Tom Scott.

Reviews/ratings:

• CashBox: "A sure bet."
• Billboard: "Klugh plays clean, inventive lines and could clearly go anywhere on his guitar technique."
• Downbeat (★★★): "Earl Klugh is on his way to fashioning a distinctively subdued style in modern jazz guitar."
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: #84
• Billboard Jazz: #6
• Billboard R&B: #31
• CashBox: #129
• CashBox Jazz: #4
• Record World Jazz: #9

Tracks: It's hard to pick favorites on a Klugh album, but this morning I'll go with Long Ago And Far Away, Jolanta, and This Time (later covered by Al Jarreau). Not my favorite track but worthy of note is the cover of Keep Your Eye On The Sparrow (written by Grusin) because you wouldn't think that TV theme song would work in a smooth jazz setting and you'd be right. Ill-advised but I'll allow one misstep per album because I'm a giving kind of guy. The cover that does work is track 6, Klugh's take on Orleans' Dance with Me.

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HEART STRING (1979)
8 tracks, 41 minutes

Note: this release was originally purchased as a cassette tape, later replaced by this CD set.

Love this one. Produced by Klugh himself, so it sounds more like his usual stuff than the previous Grusin joint. I guess most critics would use the cliché "he had found his voice" but I avoid clichés like the plague.

This was probably the first Earl Klugh album I ever bought/heard. It brings back many memories of my freshman year in college, picking up cassettes from the clearance bin from the record store in the Greenville Mall. I don't remember the name of the record store, but I'm guessing it was a Hastings.

On a slightly related note, our local Hastings closed on October 30 of this year, leaving this college town without a record store. I never woulda thought that was possible. I'd be sad about it, but Klugh is currently playing on the stereo.

Reviews/ratings:

• CashBox: "He mixes lush, quiet tunes with mid-tempo numbers to come up with an easy listening jazz effort"
• Downbeat (★★★): "a rather tasty lollipop"
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: #49
• Billboard Jazz: #2
• Billboard R&B: #32
• CashBox: #46
• CashBox Jazz: #2
• Record World Jazz: #3

Tracks: So many good tracks here. 7 of the 8 tracks written by Klugh himself. I wouldn't skip any but will single out the title track for a tasty electric piano solo from Greg Phillinganes, as well as Spanish Night which is about as characteristic Klugh tune as you'll find. There's also a nice cover of Sergio Mendes' Pretty World and a solo track, Waiting For Cathy.

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WISHFUL THINKING (1984)
8 tracks, 36 minutes

Note: this release was originally purchased as a LP, later replaced by this CD set. The cover art above doesn't match the CD cover but matches the cover of the vinyl version I once owned.

Purchased at the same record store as the above tape, only I paid full retail for this beauty. I can still sing along with all the melodies on this one (I'll spare you from having to hear me sing guitar lines). All songs written and produced by Klugh himself, this one might rival Late Night Guitar as my all-time favorite Klugh album. Like that album, this one has more than its fair share of beautiful orchestral arrangements. supporting Klugh's work.

Here's something I wouldn't have guessed but am pleasantly surprised:

According Whitburn's Top Pop Albums book (7th ed.), Klugh was #39 on the list of top artists of the 1980s.

Reviews/ratings:

• CashBox: "A sly and very attractive LP"
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: #69
• Billboard Jazz: #1
• Billboard R&B: #18
• CashBox: #66
• CashBox Jazz: #1
• Radio & Records Jazz Radio National Airplay: #2

Tracks: Again, don't skip any. Favorites include the title track, Tropical Legs, and The Only One For Me (featuring David Sanborn), but the best tune is the swinging big band of Take It From The Top which was used for many years as the theme to PGA Tour coverage on CBS.

Previously revisited for the blog:

Midnight in San Juan (1991)	Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)
The Best of Earl Klugh (1991)	Two of a Kind (1982)
Volume One (1991)	Late Night Guitar (1980)
Collaboration (1987)

Blog post #1350

The Best of Earl Klugh (1991)

12 tracks culled from albums Klugh released between 1976-1984. I listened to the smooth sounds of Klugh's nylon-string acoustic guitars quite a bit in college and his music still shuffles around frequently on my "at work" playlists. It's interesting to hear the earlier tracks because what we consider smooth jazz today was in its infancy back in the late '70s and there weren't many artists attempting this music when there was so much fast money to be made in disco. Klugh's work isn't terribly adventurous, but he plays what he plays and he's developed quite a following doing that. After being introduced to Klugh via Late Night Guitar around 1985 by a close friend, I purchased a few of his albums. I saw this compilation CD sitting in a used bin about 8 years ago; it's been a good addition to the collection.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

Top tracks are Tropical Legs, Dr. Macumba, Livin' Inside Your Love, and Wishful Thinking. Speaking of wishful thinking, I wish they had included Take It From The Top.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Midnight in San Juan (1991)
Volume One (1991)
Collaboration (1987)
Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)
Two of a Kind (1982)
Late Night Guitar (1980)

George Benson & Earl Klugh - Collaboration (1987)

An okay instrumental smooth jazz album with two guitarists doing the best they can with relatively weak material. These songs almost crossover from smooth jazz to instrumental pop (although some would argue there's not much difference between the two genres to begin with). The arrangements are full of of synth pads and drum programming, but that's fairly characteristic of the time. I've always enjoyed Klugh's brand of music and he's definitely a solid player, but I've never really thought of him as being particularly innovative. Klugh has never stretched out much and, as such, he's absolutely blown away here by Benson's fluid technique and amazing solo skills. Still, the electric and acoustic play well off each other, which puts this album in the "good, but not great" category. The total is definitely less than the sum of its parts, which makes you wonder what might have been.

Press of the time:

• CashBox: "Smooth as a gravy sandwich."
• Billboard: "a classy duet foray"
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #59
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #1
• Billboard Pop CD: #12
• Billboard R&B: #28
• CashBox Jazz: #1
• CashBox CD: #12

Tracks:  Like I said, the material isn't the best, but most of it is good enough for background music. The best track is Jamaica; I occasionally skip the title track and an ill-advised take on the love theme from the 1968 movie Romeo & Juliet.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  I'm surprised I didn't pick this one up back in '87, but I didn't hear it until I found a a used copy back in 2005. The Romeo & Juliet track takes me back to my freshman year in high school in which we not only had to read the Shakespeare play, but we traveled to Houston to catch a live production AND had to watch the 1968 film. And to all that, I added the task of reading the Cliffs Notes. And they wonder why kids don't get into Shakespeare much.

Previously revisited for the blog:

George Benson	Earl Klugh
Givin' It Up (2006)	Midnight in San Juan (1991)
Best Of: The Instrumentals (1997)	Volume One (1991)
20/20 (1985)	Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)
The George Benson Collection (1981)	Two of a Kind (1982)
The Other Side of Abbey Road (1970)	Late Night Guitar (1980)

Earl Klugh - Midnight in San Juan (1991)

Latin and Carribean flavored light jazz from the master of the understated acoustic guitar. Nice contributions from harmonica player Toots Thielemans and pianists Richard Tee and Eliane Elias. When I picked this up, I was expecting something more along the lines of the wonderful Late Night Guitar. This isn't as good as that album, but it has few good cuts on it.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: #189
• Billboard R&B: #96
• CashBox Jazz: #2

Tracks: For a jazz artist, Klugh has a remarkable ear for melody. The title track is good, as is She Never Said Why, Jamaican Winds, and Take You There. I skip Every Moment With You because of the horrible arrangement.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: This is yet another Klugh CD that I picked up from the used CD bin. It would seem that not everyone likes Klugh's sound as much as I do.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Volume One (1991)
Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)
Two of a Kind (1982)
Late Night Guitar (1980)

The Earl Klugh Trio - Volume One (1991)

Klugh usually records smooth jazz, but here he turns up his chops and puts out a great set of straight-ahead jazz. Mostly standards, but also some Latin and show tunes as well. It's a nice change of pace for Klugh. I was unfamiliar with bassist Ralphe Armstrong, but he proves he's a great player on these tracks. Everything here is well done: tasteful playing, good material, quality arrangements. If you like acoustic guitar trios, this music is sure to be a hit at your next cocktail party.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Jazz: #5

Tracks: The album opens with a fun take on the theme song from the TV show Bewitched. Don't skip any tracks, but pay particular attention to I'll Remember April, I Say A Little Prayer, Night And Day, Lonely Girl, and One Note Samba.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: If I see a Klugh CD in the used bin, I pick it up. I found this one earlier this year at Half Price Books. I'll be buying Volume Two when I see it.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)
Two of a Kind (1982)
Late Night Guitar (1980)

Earl Klugh - Late Night Guitar (1980)

Note: this release was originally purchased as a LP, later replaced by a CD.

The title says all you need to know. This all-too-brief album is a great marriage of acoustic guitar and occasional strings performing mostly standards. A very relaxing, mellow, sensuous CD to be listened to late at night.

Reviews/ratings:

• Stereo Review: "ought to be awarded the soggy palm as Throwback of the Year."
• CashBox: "Perfect for a romantic evening."
• Record World: "one of his mellowest releases"
• Billboard: "The orchestra support adds a richness to the numbers."
  
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #98
• Billboard Jazz: #4
• Billboard R&B: #40
• CashBox: #85
• CashBox Jazz: #2
• Record World Jazz: #2

Tracks: 13 songs, only 36 minutes. While they are all good, my favorites are Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Jamaica Farewell, Mona Lisa, and Two For The Road.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I was introduced to this album by my dear friend Richard Longoria and I always think of him when I listen to it. Richard was a hopeless romantic and considered this album to be a musical aphrodisiac. Sadly, he left this world in 1991. I miss him terribly and still think of him often.

Earl Klugh and Bob James - Two of a Kind (1982)

NUMBERS WEEK (MARCH 14-20, 2011)

These two were at the height of their popularity at the time this album was recorded. Bob James is more of an easy listening keyboardist than a jazz musician (his most famous work is the theme from the TV show Taxi), while Klugh is a laid back acoustic guitarist. Not surprisingly, the best tracks are those that Klugh wrote and James just noodles around on the Fender Rhodes. This was the duo's second collaboration; they released One On One in 1979.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #44
• Billboard Jazz: #1
• Billboard R&B: #23
• CashBox: #44
• CashBox Jazz: #1
• Radio & Records Jazz Radio National Airplay: #1
• Rolling Stone: #50

Tracks: The opening track, The Falcon, is not a good way to start off an album, but the duo bounces back quickly with Whiplash. Sandstorm, Where I Wander, and Wes are all good Klugh tunes.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None.

Earl Klugh - Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)

Note: this release was originally purchased as an LP, later replaced by a CD.

Earl Klugh plays acoustic guitar, mostly on smooth jazz recordings although he has ventured into straight-ahead jazz and pop music as well. For this release, which he wrote and produced, Klugh put together a top-notch group of session players for his backing band. Over the years, this has proven to be one his more popular releases. I hadn't given it much thought since college, but found a used copy within the past few years. I must have listened to this album quite a bit back then because I easily remembered all the tunes.

Press of the time:

• Billboard: "Klugh strikes a balance between the delicate ballads and breezier, uptempo fare that have earned him broad crossover appeal."
• CashBox: "Klugh moves on with this more contemporary collection of new tunes"

Album chart Peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #110
• Billboard Jazz: #3
• Billboard R&B: #23
• CashBox: #105
• CashBox Jazz: #1
• Radio & Records Jazz Radio National Airplay: #4

Tracks: Just Pretend, Moonlight Dancing, and Some Other Time are all good cuts. The drum machine and synth sounds of '85 have really dated songs like Baby Cakes and Rainbow Man.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Reminds me of Room 156 in Berry Hall and the mall in Greenville (named Crossroads Mall, maybe?), which is probably where I purchased the album originally.