The Tal Farlow Trio - I Hear a Rhapsody

[gueldaswing]

I love the smile on Tal's face ! Incredible playing on this video, he is really one of a kind.

[redwashre]

They have guitars in Texas and alabama too but good point anyway.When most improvisors have trouble keeping 2 things going on at once,Tal was in about the 5th dimension.Little wonder he and Lenny Breau got along so well.Yeah,that is a perfect backdrop for NYC.Miss the skyline.

[redwashre]

They have guitars in Texas and alabama too but good point anyway.When most improvisors have trouble keeping 2 things going on at once,Tal was in about the 5th dimension.Little wonder he and Lenny Breau got along so well.

[4578a]

This music is the perfect backdrop to the city.

[zhaydhee]

nice - i like the visuals too - the tugboats and city lights. jazz ballads convey the loneliness of city life; a rural culture would never give birth to jazz..

[4578a]

What's all this side chatter? Fucking jazz is more important than all these silly little political games.

[rubberbandsax]

shh! Jazz Masters are conversing.

[matiasfaggiano]

Uno de los más grandes guitarristas de la historia del Jazz.!!

[Goldie450]

My scaregrow has a TShirt just like he's

[AmundLauritzen]

@Goldie450

He might not have been a treat for the eyes, but he sure could play. And you listen with your ears, not your eyes, so does it really matter after all?

[islandfunhouse]

Hey austingunsmoke -- just what were the good old days?.... when women were in subservient roles? when blacks were fighting for civil rights they should have had a hundred years before? When gays had zero tolerance? When everyone was mass producing children with no thought for over-taxing the earth's resources? I'm a serious jazz guitarist....I think "the days" have only gotten better.....and I play traditional jazz music based on models like Tal. We "oldsters" need to keep a balanced picture.

[tomtom58]

@islandfunhouse

Well I guess according to your view, when we look back on today, we will say... when Obama destroyed our health care system? When we were more alarmed by conservative Christians than Muslim extremists? When our military was rendered powerless because of political correctness? When we had to try terrorists in NYC civil court because we wanted to show the world how compassionate and respectful of our civil rights we are?

Yes these are the good old days of tomorrow.

[strandwolf]

@tomtom58 Our military has always been useless. It took them 3 fucking weeks to pound Grenada. There's one trillion dollars missing at the Pentagon. So much for our patriotic military brass--retarded chiselers, most of them. And most of the rest are just plain retarded and/or latent homos.

[DrMotorDude]

@islandfunhouse "I'm a serious jazz guitarist..." as if none before you ever were. If you were a serious jazz guitarist we'd know who you were.

The only thing you are serious about is being a buzz killing bring-bring down.

[mvbeckril]

fuck off you leftist scumball.

[BuckshotLaFunke]

islandfunhouse, you have a point there.

[austingunsmoke]

tal always reminds me of the good ol days....when life wasnt about a cell phone....you youngsters dont know

[thegoot24]

I didn't realize Chuck Noris plays the bass.

[leirgauk]

@thegoot24 I WAS JUST ABOUT TO WRITE THAT EXACT SAME COMMENT!!!

[SIRONEDRAGON]

Tal played such outstanding music on his guitars ..Miss that Gentleman !!

[4578a]

i'm enjoying it.

[precisionbizzle]

I saw this on TV and I loved it. Should've uploaded "Fascinating Rhythm" as well, I love that song too!

[jncyt]

Just saw this vid and Talmadge Farlow on PBS and came to You Tube to search on it. I'm hooked.

[gabri3l367]

Grande TAL FARLOW !!! Il numero "1". Vera improvvisazione. Un saluto dall'Italia.

[jhg123456]

mpeter...wtf r u talking about?

[edcerc]

is that an l5

[aaronentresz]

no it's not. Although, it would be easy to mistake it for one. It has the same body shape, but is about 1/2 an inch thinner. Also, the body of this guitar is totally laminated (like an Es-175).

[edcerc]

whataever it is it sounds great

[satziebaby]

Thanks "four star".I can't seem to find Palette.....When was it recorded? Label?.Satziebaby

[padleynj]

why the four-lettered-words? the only words should be about the sumblmine.......

[padleynj]

Quite the loss. I also knew Tal from the Yankee Clipper in Sea Girt, as well as in W. Paterson..I don't think Les Paul is in the same league as Tal. To bad he smoked too much!!!

[fourstar645]

smoked what?

[potterman83]

nice... deep

[ernestangley]

How can anyone listen to the double stops he executes at beginning @ 1:36, extrapolating from a theme from the preceding measures, and think Tal had lost anything amazes me.

[satziebaby]

This is SUBLIME.I wish I could find any recordings of this trio.........PLEASE HELP if anyone knows....And ,oh yeah, Youtube, bless you for keeping thee music alive...

[tishierkrisis]

Try 'the swinging guitar of Tal Farlow', you can find it on cd. Great music.

[minor7b5b9]

I heard the original in 1956 on LP & it blew me away. As a result I became a jazz guitarist and gave up alto & tenor sax. I also have the CD version with the added tracks and bekieve it was the finest work he ever did.

[fourstar645]

fuck the swinging of farlow, every one knows about that one, if you really wanna hear something with this trio chek out "chromatic palette", but the best trio set up is with hank jones and ray brown on the album "a sign of the times", same sound and drumming with the guitar, but more feeling.

[BilliHeathMusic]

I miss you Tal Farlow! One of the nicest fellows I ever met. And one if not the greatest guitarist I ever seen perform live and now on video. I got to meet Les Paul from

Tal at the Quay in Sea Bright NJ in 1975. I was a student of Tal's until he move back to S. Carolina to take care of his dad until he pass away. In the 1990's we both lived on Peninsula Ave. in Sea Bright. I got to play with the Man with the biggest guitar hands I saw! A pure Genius on Guitar!

Tal, God Bless You!

Billi

[kenouman]

I love the fact that Tal Farlow has a sound that that is just him. Same with Barney and just a few others. They all bring something different to the table.

It doesn't matter who is better.

[robbourassaguitarist]

Tal played like a southern boy. What great ideas.

[ahug4you323]

explain " like a southern boy"?

[robbourassaguitarist]

Herb Ellis was from Texas, Barney Kessel, Oklahoma, Johnny Smith, Alabama. Tal was from N. Carolina. These guys all played banjo or mandolin as kids. You can really hear the way Tal thinks of the first four strings as a seperate instrument and thumbs the bass. He was such a great thinker. He did so much to develop modern jazz guitar.

[ahug4you323]

thanks,nice to know some backround

[stratojetb47]

Bireli is pretty tough on your nerves. I can't stand his gypsy music for mlre than half an hour. He is fabulous but this is it.

[Dengmengdao]

Wow! glad I heard this. You tube rules!!! I keep hearing all these great musicians, its humbling, and fascinating, and my love for jazz guitar has never been stronger, even though I'm a rocker and can't play anything like it!

[jazz1bro]

Tal was a real nice guy. I met and heard him live once in Sea Bright,New Jersey. His earlier albums show a speed and ear for intricate things that made him a most masterful player. He greatly admired Art Tatum and lester Young.

[bluespuppet]

Tal was simply one of the greatest players and innovators of the jazz guitar. His playing on his album "Tal" set boundaries that have yet to be reached by jazz guitarists anywhere. Tal was the Charlie Parker of the guitar.

[Earme1]

Tal , the musicianship and beautiful melodies you

seem to pull off that fret board, its spells dedication,

and complete passion , thankyou for what you do!!

[lordkazama86]

In reply to Grippz post. NONE of those people you mentioned were the best guitar players ever. Only big name mainstreams names. If you showed any of them a Django or Bireli Lagrene video, they'd all quit guitar playing forever. Bireli reigns supreme, prove me wrong

[Wysenold]

The problem is that jazz is real musicians', music. You need to understand and have a real ear to know what he was doing. Even Tal admitted, when he gave up for a while, that short of stepping right outside the boundaries, he had gone as far as his invention would allow; he didn't see how he could be original any more. That's some statement from a guitarist like him. I met Tal when he came to UK to play for us. What a humble giant he was. Man did he raise the roof that night!

John

[bunkhabit]

those that "trash" the older guitarists hear only their muffed notes and miss completely the inventiveness of their melodic comp. pity them.

[railcar123]

One...if not THE most inventive jazz guitarist ever. Harmonically and technically. Love his "false" harmonics and bongo and brush effects.

[mcdevster]

i have listened to early tal and late tal and i see nothing wrong with his playing as he got older.. he always played such melodic solos.. never relying on licks or scales.. he was always himself.

[Grippowitz]

Some of the Guitarists who claim TAl was the greatest ever (period) include:Wes, Johnny Smith, Benson, Jim Hall, Jimmy Rainey, Bucky, Tony Purrone, John McGlaughlin.. So Dudes... maybe get your ears checked.

[Markzyisme]

I include myself

[99ZARDOZ]

YES! I am just getting into this guy and just got the LA sessions CD where he is mostly playing with the Red Norvo trio (including Mingus on bass for a few tracks)

I really like his playing. Since when was jazz about rythmic perfection anyway.

I would suggest that some critics adjust their ears to appreciate beautiful melody and phrasing rather than seeking fretboard burning wizardry everywhere. Go and complete your Steve Vai collection if you cant.

[fsmontgo]

That great laugh comment was regarding "the chimps" comment. I think he is a wonderful player!

[jazzmaster3000]

I don't know...so many folks think Tal's playing is choppy and bland, but I think there's just something really intimate and sincere about his playing.

[chasna2]

A little insight: Farlow, at this stage of the game, is trying to change his style, using more alternate picking. It has nothing to do with his age, it was a conscious decision on his part. Farlow did not want to be a "Finished" player. He was an artist to the end.

[AlohaBay]

What was his playing style before that?

[chasna2]

Early Tal is Tal at his best. He had large hands and used a small Birdland neck on an L-5 body and was able to stretch way beyond the normal-sized hand capacity. His pop and burn style was anything but bland and his ability to play 3 over 4, even in double time, gave him a melodic edge over other guitarists.

[minor7b5]

Tal Farlow's earliest recording was called "The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow." He followed it up with "Fuerst Set." Before that he played with the Red Norvo Trio(on Savoy). I heard his first recording at the age of 12, 50 yrs. ago, & I immediately gave up reeds, & became a jazz guitarist.

[ernestangley]

Tal sounds pretty good here - I'd like to hear some of the haters try to play 4 bars of I Hear a Rhapsody, let alone spin out a chord-melody lead that stretches out the harmonic structure of the tune. Please.

[KapnKoolio]

Well said earnestangley - most of these harsh critics don't even know what he's doing. Why do they listen to this? Can a chimpanzee grasp poetry? There are plenty of Mettalica and Van Halen videos for these "chimps" to watch.

[fsmontgo]

Thank you...I just had a great laugh

[jasmine2kenya]

so many haters , very few players.

[jsagn]

Yeah! I like that!

[learo42]

Hey, I remember this guy in the 1950's. Really great, we all get older or die. I'm not sure, but I think one of his first electric guitar's was a guitar with a set of earphone's inside for pickup's.

[lionsong334]

I really enjoy this it sounds good. And don't say that he sucks I mean yeah he's not at his best but I mean look at his age and see how much better it sounds than a lot of other guitar you and your friends play. spinctereater you have no class.

[spektix]

the coolest man ever to live.

[vandret]

i totally agree with Stratman1920

[Stratman1920]

For you knuckle heads slammin this: Even on a bad day he could kick you ass on guitar.

[irateyourvideo2]

not at his best...but still an obviously brilliant, influential and amazing guitarist.

[spinctereater]

that fucking sucked i agree

[marlontarditi]

You call that Sloppy???? You buncha geeks!!!!

The guy's got character, that's what it is. There's danger in his playing, and you can't learn that!

[jose044]

i had heared about tal farlow and now that i see him i dont really like him much, i really like his prhasing, but he plays too much notes for that kind of music it hears saturated,something like yngwie's "blues", and dont blame him for his shitty technique, remember that he learned to play all alone

[omigosh23]

Fingers as long as his must have been starting to feel the effects of arthritis besides, Tommy Flanagen makes up for bad timing.

[lucylovesme]

Tal sounds HORRIBLE here. NO time skills. I mean, lets face it nothing can be worse in jazz than a musician with non existant time skills. Why the hell didn't he fix this problem AGES ago...he couldn't hear the problem, obviously

[mothermoore]

Tal in his prime was concidered one of the top guitarist in the world,listen to his early recordings there killer,yea he's a bit shaky here cut him a break he's old probably with some health issues-perhaps Lucylovesme should post his superior guitar skills, who know maybe there will be Gibson Lucylovesme model someday--NOT!!

[lazur1]

Yeah, then he could've been somebody, like Tal Farlow...oh,wait, he -is- Tal Farlow...never mind.

[lucylovesme]

Tal sounds HORRIBLE on here, same as on Fascinating rhythm, NO TIME...what could be worse for a jazz musician than having no time....lets face it, NOTHING is worse

[lazur1]

Well, there a -few- worse things, like maybe almost every other jazz guitarist who's ever lived,outside of maybe a half-dozen.

[jcksnparsons]

yeah, there is...jackasses who come onto youtube to trash musicians like Tal. Ask yourself this: are you a fraction as creative or talented. I'm pretty sure the answer is NO. So, I'm glad that lucy chick loves ya, cuz everyone else would probly run u over with their cars.

[omigosh23]

Oh thanks

[sonicdeviant]

Wonderful sound. Wonderful player. Big influence. Everyone always harps on his sloppiness (because of what Wes Montgomery said), but I think the sloppiness is part of his charm. If I want to hear perfection, I'll listen to Yngwie Malmsteen or some crap. Tal's great.

[omigosh23]

What did Wes say?

[sonicdeviant]

He gave Tal a backhanded compliment, saying he played with a lot energy but that he was "sloppy." His "slop" is part of his voice.

[AlohaBay]

Would you mind telling what Wes Montgomery said please?

[markus180963]

Great playing but Tal has always had a problem with time-spot co-ordination mostly I think with his picking! But still a LEGEND!

[jazzcat4on6]

This is a clip from a great documentary that every music lover must see.

[mrc803]

Wonderful! Tal is very underappreciated. Hopefully postings like this will help others discover him.