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Larry Garner, Discography
So far, Larry has recorded six albums for three different labels.
The first two,
The next two,
The two latest releases,
Larrys very first album was released on the London based JSP label This may be difficult to get hold of now, certainly it had been deleted at least once from JSPs list in the UK and subsequently re-released. According to the original liner notes this was recorded over several sessions, involving several different musicians in 1991, but wasn't released by JSP until 1993.
Musicians on the second JSP recording were:
Third album and first on the Gitanes Jazz label (Part of the Verve empire)
Recorded March 18-23, 1994 at Dockside Studio, Maurice, Lousiana; March 28,
1994 at Chicago Recording Corporation, Chicago, Illinois and April 20, 1994 at
Soundtrack, New York City.
Personnel
The second album on the Gitanes Jazz label.
Recorded April 30 - May 5, 1995 at Dockside Studio, Maurice, Lousiana, but for some reason not released in the US until late 1999 (More than four years after recording) on the Evidence label.
Personnel
The first recording on the German Ruf label
Recorded and mixed January 1998 at Ardent Studios, Memphis
Personnel
Review This is the first recording by Larry for .... well, far to long really. My first impressions were that he has found his way again after seeming to be unhappy at Verve. I also get the feeling that there is a definite move to make his music more accessible and if this brings his music to more people, then so what? The whole album has the usual strong thread of Larrys view of life and you definately get a feel for things that affect and interest him. It pays to listen to the words and you often find yourself nodding and thinking "Yes, I can relate to that!" I love the haunting "Strangers Blues" and the driving sound of "PMS". The words of "Do Your Personal Thing" are being used in an advertising campaign for the new release and seem to have been inspired by his English road manager Adi Walker. Of the others "Out In The Country" stands out and tells of how difficult leaving the city can be, especially if you think that you are going to leave crime behind you! The final track "Last Encore" is an obvious set closer for his live act, with his final cry of "I want to thank Y'all for keeping the Blues alive!" All in all, a worthy first recording for his new label and if you get the chance go and see him performing this new material live! July 10th 1998
The latest recording on the Ruf label, released in May 2000.
Recorded late 1999 at Cotton Row, Memphis, TN by Nick Lyras. Assisted by Angelo Earl and Brian "Tern" Washburn.
Musicians
vocal chorus on "slower traffic keep right" - The Revolting Stacks : Lester Delmore, Joe Hunter, Dick Shurman, Ernest Williamson, Seji Yuguchi
Review Well, I have had a while to listen to "once upon the blues" several times now and I am pleased to report that it is an absolute cracker (very good....). I just love the lazy guitar intro to the first track "where blue turns to black" - lovely understated playing, probably one of my favourite tracks. The second is about a pet hate of Larry as well as me - "slower traffic keep right". Wherever you are, on Highway, Motorway, Autostrada, Autobahn or Autoroute it seems to be the same the world over - slow traffic sitting in the fast/overtaking lane. Larry will have to change from right to left when he does this number in England! The third number is a lovely slow old style electric blues number "a real gambling woman". I seem to remember a whole generation of English bands trying to do this sort of thing in the late 1960's/early 1970's such as the original Fleewood Mac with Peter Green and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, to name but two, - but not as well as this. Tracks four, "that was her dance" and five, "i won't tell your mama" pick up the pace, but are in the same sort of vein. Track six, "i ain't the one" is one of those v e r y s l o w numbers that Larry does so well. He excels at telling a story over a slow driving beat - and that guitar break in the middle is just perfect. The next track "virus blues" is all about Larrys' first experience of the Internet and it doesn't sound too good. The guitar work on this track is nice and simple weaving in and out of the vocals. In fact Larrys' guitar work is maturing just like a fine French wine - Mmmmmmm! Next up, "edward had a shotgun" is a very topical number about guns and parental responsibility. It is a fast driving number calculated to whip up the crowds in a live performance. Track nine, "if she tells you no" slows things down again and features the harmonica playing of Seiji Yuguchi, together with more of Larrys' fine guitar. "the muddy river" has a real "New Orleans" feel to it. I can see Dr. John doing a version of this. Great stuff. The penultimate track, "klepto" is a reworking of an old Larry favourite "Kleptomaniac" off the "Too Blues" album. Another great number to do live. Lastly, "nothing but life" is slow monologue with a sparse/economical backing about Larrys' view of the blues. A great late night number and a fine way to round off a fine album. 12 July 2000
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"Double Dues" - JSPCD244
"Double Dues" re-release - JSPCD273
"Too Blues" - JSPCD249
"Too Blues" re-release - JSPCD2111
"You Need to Live a Little" - Verve 523 759-2
"Baton Rouge" - Verve 529 467-2
"once upon the blues" - RUF1044