AMG Review of Power Trio: Live in Chicago

Ken Dryden
All Music Guide

Larry Coryell has ventured down many musical paths, but his soul belongs to jazz. These freewheeling excerpts from three live sets at ~the Jazz Showcase in Chicago find the guitarist at the top of his game, accompanied by an intuitive rhythm section, bassist Larry Gray and drummer Paul Wertico. The opener is a startling "Autumn Leaves," an adventurous wide-ranging performance that begins in a post-bop setting and almost (but not quite) transforms into avant-garde. Coryell's sensuous treatment of "Black Orpheus" and his masterful acoustic solo of "Love Is Here to Stay" also prove to be captivating. "Star Eyes" alternates between a soothing samba and a cooking bop vehicle. He especially brings out the lyrical qualities within George Harrison's "Something" with a soft, spacious solo interpretation. His one original is the funky "Good Citizen Swallow," followed by a brilliant lengthy excursion into Milt Jackson's "Bag's Groove." Live jazz just doesn't get any better than this.