In the 50's Tal recorded an album which contained 'Love Nest'. His solo are incredible throughout, but he ends on a breathtaking run that goes on almost forever, & which shows him to be one of the legendary masters of the guitar in the style that pretty much ruled jazz from WWII up into the 1960s. There are other greats, and none are slouches, but there is simply no denying Tal. He was lyrical, inventive and did it all. Sadly, YouTube has mostly his later work; in his 30's & 40's he ruled..
I have been a fan of Tal most of my life. He is the king of bebop jazz guitar. the best of them who came after Christian. Red Norvo trio is superb and one of the best trios in jazz. guitarman1943
Wes Montgomery, who wasn't a "fool" or an "idiot," noted about Tal (after praising him greatly): "Sometimes he gets kind of sloppy like a lot of guitar players, that's why a lot of cats have put him down." I think Wes was right: Tal could get sloppy, particularly in his later years. But, so what? He was still one of the very best.
wow, these 3 were real amazing musicians, such a shame we were born to late to appretiate this trio live, tho I think Steve still lives, anyone knows?
Tal Farlow is not sloppy at all; he had huge hands which enabled him to play what not many can. You're just not used to truly talented musicians; maybe some Brittany Spears would suit you better?
This is so great! What a joy these cats have performing together; the audience must really feel it. As a great fan of the Red Norvo trio with Tal and Jimmy, this is a treat. Maybe this is the the greatest documentation of Tal caught on film?!! Just love it:))
@jazzman8.....sloppy? Unclog your ears fool. Tal had Milt Owen create a "short-scale" fingerboard sometime around 1950....basically removing the first fret. This created less tension and "looser" strings.
Red went to using a transducer pickup on the instrument at some point, accounting for the unfortunate sound of these vibes. It allows him to play low and light, and not have to compete with the band, which makes sense for a septuagenarian. Well, he kept on playing and had a long musical life. We all can only hope.
I had the pleasure of seeing Tal in the mid 80s here in the U.K.I was sitting right in front of him and he kept looking at me and my cousin all night, I couldnt figure it out years later I thought maybe it was because we were 16 yrs old kids with all these old people sitting around us and we stood out.Anyway glad I saw him live.
There was none better than Tal in his prime. Just listen to any track on the wonderful compilation CD "Tal Farlow's Finest hour." I was blown away...and you will be too.
They did a nice job of recording the bass. I've found that many many live recordings from the 80's of upright basses are horribly done. It often sounds like a big rubber band. This bass has a rich tone, the engineers knew what they were doing.
What a delightful Jazz line-up..these guys were true masters of their craft..and one thing for sure... Tal Farlow... was one... Tall Fellow... in the world of Jazz Guitar..!!
Jazz sounds like the same old recycled cliches to me. In fact they don't sound they're truly improvising half the time. More like going through the motions. Rather listen to Bach.
@pobinr ..Well go and listen to J.S.B. Whatever makes you happy... up there at your elevated level...I guess that you would have no trouble sitting in with these guys..with your Triangle and Striker..!!
I love Tal Farlow's playing, but I wonder if his style was affected by having to play on cramped standard neck guitars... which are, of course, designed for tiny men with womanish hands.
Tal purposely had Gibson make his signature model a short-scale guitar so that he could take more advantage of his large hands, both for comping as well as soloing. And yes, sometimes his articulation was less than perfect, but he was one of the first jazz guitarists who could double-time. Barney Kessel wasn't as clean as Tal.
@EADGBE54 - I was talking specifically about the nut-widths of skinny-necked Gibson guitars... which I cannot abide. Scale length, I can work with. But, I won't touch a guitar with less than a nut-width of less than 44.45mm.
@EAD: The Tal Farlow model has a standard 25.5" scale, . Perhaps you're thinking of the Byrdland, 23.5", designed by famed session men Billy Byrd & Hank Garland. Garland was probably the #1 Farlow fan. He was also an elite jazz player on his own time, when not doing country and rock & roll sessions, but he didn't have those big hands, so perhaps Tal did have an indirect influence on the short-scale design.
@E:Found out more: Tal did have two short-scale axes, (tho neither were ever his signature model): 1/An (originally) full-scale ES-250, no cutaway, which didn't allow Tal to reach higher frets. He had the first fret removed, & the bridge & pickups moved up appropriately, so that the 15th & 16th frets moved up free of the guitar body. 2/A red ES-125-3/4 that Gibson gave him, for a TV show that wanted him to play a red guitar.
@60lab Someone said Tal farlow was sloppy. I think that's funny because if you wanna get anal over it he probably was the most imperfect player,as far as articulation. Like Pat martino is fucking spot on! as the english would say, never hear him make the slightest little fluffed note, but no one sounds like Tal,i guess if you wanna hear him you gotta take a few lumps,but who cares. He's the only place you can get this sound.
@4578a one of these reasons tal gets the sound he gets and is able to play in a "sloppy" yet melodic and incredible fashion is that he keeps his strings much looser than the average tuning
@thejazzman8 He may tune down on some of his music but i've played a lot of his stuff and it's in a regular standard tuning so it must be something else. Maybe within him.
@4578a you can get the same tonality tuning down with different gauge strings and different bridge settings, but yeah alot of it is in him, so much soul
I guess "never" means you've listened to everything Norvo recorded. Maybe he didn't use it often enough for sanctimonious purists but the recordings are out there. In fact he uses the vibe on another tune from this session.
Somethin' about Tals' smooth walk a walk pace and extra note runs where most would stop..not talkin about long show off runs but his phrasing..sounds like a mouse runnin' 'round a house..the 50s Red trio jams were ridiculous...one of my favorite guitarists for sure..amazing how your mind opens..I started as a Black Sabbath disciple in H.School...now I love how everything has it's place...Farlow is a monster guitarist!
I love Norvo, how he holds his mallets half-way down; how he looks towards the audience, not at his instrument; how he radiates pleasure and optimism, how he listens to the other fellows. I never paid much attention to him, listening to Milt Jackson only, but your video woke me up. Thanks, bobjazz!
I had the amazing luck of being in Boston in 1981-82 and saw Farlow with Lenny Breau (Yeah!!) at Sandy's Jazz Revival In Beverly Mass., (now closed I think). No rhythm section, just the two of them, with a little set list on the floor. They had just met that week (apparently been fans of each other for a long time) when Lenny came to New Jersey to spend some time to play with Farlow. An amazing night of music. Of all the amazing music, I think Farlows comping impressed me more than anything.
i was fortunate to see tal at least 10 years ago at the now gone fox theater in venice, calif. i was also prescient enough to bring one of my prized possessions; an original, near mint condition copy of MOVE, which tal was kind enough to sign.
as we were about to leave, an acquaintance tapped me and said, "there's red norvo."
i 'bout shit my pants - holy mackerel...
my copy of MOVE is, dare i say, pretty unique. if only mingus had been among us but he continues to be humongous...
Great music, thanks for posting. Tal is one of my favorite.............BUT..............somebody is WAY behind the beat on the solos. You pick which one.
I had the pleasure of seeing The Red Norvo Trio with Tal Farlow live many years ago at Lincoln Center. Still have the concert ticket stub. Tal was an amazing player,.. saw him more than a few times at The Yankee Clipper in Sea Girt, NJ. Ahh, the old days!
Tal got his first break with Red Norvo (Savoy)& was intimidated by the fast tempos Norvo was famous for. He practiced very hard to increase his speed, & became the fastest guitarist in the world.I still think he did his best work in the 50s, especially around 1956.
So true. When I teach I make sure my students know that Tal acquired speed; what makes him special is his ear and ability to play the changes in such interesting ways. Also, watch the way he holds back a bit on the comping and then really starts to swing. Its so great. Mingus was in that original trio and had trouble with those tempos too. Such wonderful music. I'm greatful its still with us!
I'm also a jazz guitarist and teach as well. He was completely self-taught as was Ed Bickert & a number of other guitar notables I could name. At that time there were no method books for jazz guitar & it was almost impossible to get any. My Dad taught me jazz theory & the rest I had to learn for myself. Someone told me that Tal never learned to read music, but just let his instincts take over. All I know is that he was a true genius, & so humble about his talent. Just a nice guy.
Yes, a very nice man. The documentary "Talmage Farlow" by Lorenzo DeStefano is something every guitarist should see. In it Tal says "I never wanted to be a star. I just want to be a participant in making some good music." So many of these so-called "talents" today could stand to learn from that. Humble and wonderful. Great exchanging comments with someone who cares and has knowledge!
As it happens, I have the videotape "Talmage Farlow." I haven't watched it lately, but I think he plays "Fascinatin' Rhythm" in it.Well, Tal is gone now; he lived an exemplary life despite what others of his profession were doing.I speak of course of the heroin habits picked up by some extraordinarily talented jazz musicians who thought if they took heroin they could play like Bird.The bebop movement in jazz was born out of the pain of this kind of tragic thinking.
I had seen it on TV at some point; it was just recently released on DVD. You're right about the drug thing; I remember being in a band with a guy who couldn't play "Taps" on a kazoo when he was straight and thought that doing drugs would make him play like Bird. So dumb.
Don't think so - it's an old Jazz At The Smithsonian concert and I pulled it off the old Performance Channel on UK TV - The sound was awful - compressed to hell - as you can probably tell
It is availble on DVD, from Shanachie. I have a copy. I'm a jazz guitarist and this was my first exposure to Tal when it aired on PBS. The concert is from 1981. The title of the DVD is "Jazz Masters Series: Red Norvo." Google it and you'll find many sites where you can get. Its worth every dime.
I'm in the states; I don't know all that much about these different TV formats so hopefully the DVD can air everywhere. The sound on the DVD is good. I watch it all the time.
I first heard Tal with Norvo & Mingus on Savoy records many yrs. ago. But it wasn't until he came out with "The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow" in '56 that I was listening to pure genius. He was to the guitar what Bird was to the alto. To hear bop played on guitar just blew me away. It seems to me that Tal's contribution to bop has been ignored to a great degree, even by some jazz guitarists. It's on CD now, & to my mind, it's still his best work. Just buy it!!!
My first exposure to Tal was through that concert on PBS; several years later my teacher played me "The Tal Farlow Album." Right after that I got Savoy Sessions. Your comment about his contribution to bop being ignored: RIGHT ON THE MONEY. It staggers me that he is not given greater credit and that more guitarists don't list him as an influence. I just ordered a copy of "Tal Farlow The Complete 1956 Private Recordings," which are the rare "Fuerst Set" and "Second Set" records on CD.
I have the CD you just ordered, & you will see why I say that his work which was recorded in 1956 was the best, in my humble opinion, he's ever done. In later yrs. his playing changed, largely due to the fact that he used a drummer. If you ever get a chance to hear him play "Autumn in New York" you will see one of the best intros ever recorded on guitar. My other favorite is Joe Pass' intro to "Satin Doll." Ed Bickert's intro to "Just Squeeze Me" also comes to mind (Paul Desmond). More later....
Presently I'm reading "Bird Lives" (Ross Russell),"Deep in a Dream" (The Long Night of Chet Baker, by James Gavin & "Stan Getz" by Donald Maggin. I'm going to try to get that book on Paul Desmond by Doug Ramsey (shouldn't be too hard). Desmond had a voice all his own, just like the artists mentioned above, & he made many recordings with guitar instead of piano. Did you know that when the Brubeck Qt. broke up, Desmond promised he would never play with another pianist? I love his work, so melodic
I wasn't aware that Desmond had said that. Yes, he was fantastic. In the Ramsey book there is a quote from Bird, saying that Desmond was his favorite player. Why? Because he didn't try to copy Bird!
Hello ang good evening I know this album of Tal farlow and it's one of it's best recording.Unfortunotly, I have this LP in Paris and I stay in corsica ( a little island in the south of france) and I have let this record in Paris. I have bought, one mont ago a very good record of late work of Tal with one of my favorit Lenny Breau ; the record name is Cnance Meeting (label guitararchives) It's different but really interesting : Louis
I also have "Chance Meeting." The contrasting styles of Tal & Lennie make for a very interesting recording. Tal & Chet Atkins were very close to Lennie, & tried everything to get him off his heroin habit but to no avail. I have seen interviews of Tal & Chet after Lennie's death, & both men broke out in tears. Such a tragic toll heroin took on the lives of such great jazz musicians!
Hello, I have this last album with brad terry the living room tapes.I didn't know all this deatails concernin his family ; I prefer when he plays really jazz than contry music with chet. I also like the video with red norvo in fascinating rythm. I can suggest you to see on you tube a very interesting guitarist Mike Oria on a seven string guitar playing yarbird suite. It's the last fresh thing I have seen
Hello from France I agree with you I have heard this trio (savoy sessions) a long time ago and I think it's one of the most ineresting trio (without drums) I ever herad! but this trio with tal farlow didn't had to use a drummer !And the most imprtant was the fact that they had so much humour with their arrangements ( september song, I'll remmember april)I have alos bought some months ago the cd (savoy session) ma LP album was completly used! Good bye Louis GRYNER
If you want to really hear how Tal's playing style evolved without a drummer, get the CD "The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow." It came out (LP) in 1956 and featured Eddie Costa on piano & Vinnie Burke on bass. Because there is no drummer, Tal's playing "kicks" itself(that's the best way I can explain it. Ca va bien? Thanks for your reply.
Amazing how Tal Farolow's left hand seems to move very little but his fingers are al over the place. I met Tal Farlow in 1981 in Cincinnati, his hands were ginormous.
Hello I agree with you concerning the particular and personnal technique of tal: I'm surprised that you know his cd with lenny breau, one of the most unknown famous guitarist !If you like also lenny try to listen the record " the velvet touch of lenny breau " and "live at bourbon " . This video "all of me" is incredible . Louis GRYNER
I have been a fan of Lennie Breau for many yrs. We are both Canadian. Before he left Canada, he appeared on many Canadian TV showws, & made a number of LPs. I also have the last sessions he ever recorded; they were made with a clarinetist; just the two instruments in someone's living room. Lennie first started on guitar as a boy; his mother & father had a country & western band. I liked his work better before he started that "harp" sound. I thought his work had more swing to it before then.
I think the best part of "All of Me" is when Tal and Red play point-counterpoint on the tune. I also wish the recording had been better; I guess it was recorded live with only one mic.
In the 50's Tal recorded an album which contained 'Love Nest'. His solo are incredible throughout, but he ends on a breathtaking run that goes on almost forever, & which shows him to be one of the legendary masters of the guitar in the style that pretty much ruled jazz from WWII up into the 1960s. There are other greats, and none are slouches, but there is simply no denying Tal. He was lyrical, inventive and did it all. Sadly, YouTube has mostly his later work; in his 30's & 40's he ruled..
apoculamus 3 weeks ago
I have been a fan of Tal most of my life. He is the king of bebop jazz guitar. the best of them who came after Christian. Red Norvo trio is superb and one of the best trios in jazz. guitarman1943
Guitarman1943 1 month ago
Wes Montgomery, who wasn't a "fool" or an "idiot," noted about Tal (after praising him greatly): "Sometimes he gets kind of sloppy like a lot of guitar players, that's why a lot of cats have put him down." I think Wes was right: Tal could get sloppy, particularly in his later years. But, so what? He was still one of the very best.
NickinDK 2 months ago
wow, these 3 were real amazing musicians, such a shame we were born to late to appretiate this trio live, tho I think Steve still lives, anyone knows?
rodcrippler 2 months ago
Great version
customneonshirts 2 months ago
Questo si che è jazz !!!!! Grandissimi....
gabri3l367 3 months ago
talk about comping on the guitar! Tal is the man of subs along with Pass
francisco444 4 months ago
@francisco444 I think he does more subs than Pass when comping. Tal is always doing something tricky while comping.
ThePmfan 2 months ago
Natural improvisors one and all.
jofrad 5 months ago
these cats jamming man.
noeltheshemale 5 months ago
This three musicians are awesome, they perfectly master their instrument. Beautiful song, it suits very well to be bop.
ratherthebarber 5 months ago
ﾀﾙ･ﾌｧｰﾛｳと恩師ﾚｯﾄﾞ･ﾉｰヴｫ､涙を誘う映像､この大きな手が､豪快無比のｽﾋﾟｰﾄﾞｷﾞﾀｰを作った!～まさにｵｸﾄﾊﾟｽ#jazzm
blackandtanful 7 months ago
Sitting here watching this video high, and thinking What the fuck!!!
Akriolus 9 months ago
bloody brilliant !!
Blackgeoff1 9 months ago
Tal Farlow is not sloppy at all; he had huge hands which enabled him to play what not many can. You're just not used to truly talented musicians; maybe some Brittany Spears would suit you better?
AKAPhilfish 9 months ago
This is so great! What a joy these cats have performing together; the audience must really feel it. As a great fan of the Red Norvo trio with Tal and Jimmy, this is a treat. Maybe this is the the greatest documentation of Tal caught on film?!! Just love it:))
plexiseagull 10 months ago
@jazzman8.....sloppy? Unclog your ears fool. Tal had Milt Owen create a "short-scale" fingerboard sometime around 1950....basically removing the first fret. This created less tension and "looser" strings.
MrTippingthevelvet 1 year ago 3
Red went to using a transducer pickup on the instrument at some point, accounting for the unfortunate sound of these vibes. It allows him to play low and light, and not have to compete with the band, which makes sense for a septuagenarian. Well, he kept on playing and had a long musical life. We all can only hope.
justcaryjustcary 1 year ago
I had the pleasure of seeing Tal in the mid 80s here in the U.K.I was sitting right in front of him and he kept looking at me and my cousin all night, I couldnt figure it out years later I thought maybe it was because we were 16 yrs old kids with all these old people sitting around us and we stood out.Anyway glad I saw him live.
themanfromutopia1 1 year ago
Steve on bass here has worked with me!
jazz1bro 1 year ago
@OakPark11MileRd I assume it's what he was used to on a previous guitar: "Don't fix it if it ain't broken". Probably more of a right hand issue.
lazur1 1 year ago
Fantastico !!!! Oggi giorno non se ne vedono più di questi grandi. unici.
gabri3l367 1 year ago
Fabulous : )))
SIRONEDRAGON 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
is there an album this is from. i need to transcribe this
chooky222 1 year ago
is there an album with this? i want to transcribe it
chooky222 1 year ago
who is the bassist ? please
rydeto 1 year ago
I actually have a lot of hair.
4578a 1 year ago
@4578a Shut up, none of you could this....what?
mubudubum 1 year ago
What Tal farlow does idiot! And don't say you can because no one has ever sounded like Tal farlow.
4578a 1 year ago
There was none better than Tal in his prime. Just listen to any track on the wonderful compilation CD "Tal Farlow's Finest hour." I was blown away...and you will be too.
univibe23 1 year ago
Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!
anitadavideduo 1 year ago
They did a nice job of recording the bass. I've found that many many live recordings from the 80's of upright basses are horribly done. It often sounds like a big rubber band. This bass has a rich tone, the engineers knew what they were doing.
philh37 1 year ago
What a delightful Jazz line-up..these guys were true masters of their craft..and one thing for sure... Tal Farlow... was one... Tall Fellow... in the world of Jazz Guitar..!!
guitarpicka1 1 year ago
Jazz sounds like the same old recycled cliches to me. In fact they don't sound they're truly improvising half the time. More like going through the motions. Rather listen to Bach.
pobinr 1 year ago
@pobinr ..Well go and listen to J.S.B. Whatever makes you happy... up there at your elevated level...I guess that you would have no trouble sitting in with these guys..with your Triangle and Striker..!!
guitarpicka1 1 year ago
I love Tal Farlow's playing, but I wonder if his style was affected by having to play on cramped standard neck guitars... which are, of course, designed for tiny men with womanish hands.
Hoopermazing 2 years ago
Tal purposely had Gibson make his signature model a short-scale guitar so that he could take more advantage of his large hands, both for comping as well as soloing. And yes, sometimes his articulation was less than perfect, but he was one of the first jazz guitarists who could double-time. Barney Kessel wasn't as clean as Tal.
EADGBE54 1 year ago
@EADGBE54 - I was talking specifically about the nut-widths of skinny-necked Gibson guitars... which I cannot abide. Scale length, I can work with. But, I won't touch a guitar with less than a nut-width of less than 44.45mm.
Hoopermazing 1 year ago
@EAD: The Tal Farlow model has a standard 25.5" scale, . Perhaps you're thinking of the Byrdland, 23.5", designed by famed session men Billy Byrd & Hank Garland. Garland was probably the #1 Farlow fan. He was also an elite jazz player on his own time, when not doing country and rock & roll sessions, but he didn't have those big hands, so perhaps Tal did have an indirect influence on the short-scale design.
lazur1 1 year ago
@E:Found out more: Tal did have two short-scale axes, (tho neither were ever his signature model): 1/An (originally) full-scale ES-250, no cutaway, which didn't allow Tal to reach higher frets. He had the first fret removed, & the bridge & pickups moved up appropriately, so that the 15th & 16th frets moved up free of the guitar body. 2/A red ES-125-3/4 that Gibson gave him, for a TV show that wanted him to play a red guitar.
lazur1 1 week ago
Holy crap! Is that any good? Amazing.
pocobasso 2 years ago
Yea! Sloppy like Picasso!
univibe23 2 years ago
Normally i'm pure metal but this is So Ridiculously AWESOME!
the1stsunkid 2 years ago
sweet
SIRONEDRAGON 2 years ago
And yeah I do think farlow's a little sloppy in this as well
Debsquall 2 years ago
That was his style of playing
SphereAcidBurn 2 years ago
Norvo is awesome! I hadn't even heard of him before this video... Kicks asses!
Debsquall 2 years ago
Sloppy my ass. Tal Farlow was an original, brilliant musician. I love this video
60lab 2 years ago 14
@60lab Someone said Tal farlow was sloppy. I think that's funny because if you wanna get anal over it he probably was the most imperfect player,as far as articulation. Like Pat martino is fucking spot on! as the english would say, never hear him make the slightest little fluffed note, but no one sounds like Tal,i guess if you wanna hear him you gotta take a few lumps,but who cares. He's the only place you can get this sound.
4578a 1 year ago
@4578a one of these reasons tal gets the sound he gets and is able to play in a "sloppy" yet melodic and incredible fashion is that he keeps his strings much looser than the average tuning
thejazzman8 1 year ago
@thejazzman8 He may tune down on some of his music but i've played a lot of his stuff and it's in a regular standard tuning so it must be something else. Maybe within him.
4578a 1 year ago
@4578a you can get the same tonality tuning down with different gauge strings and different bridge settings, but yeah alot of it is in him, so much soul
thejazzman8 1 year ago
Brilliant!
Tonefid115 2 years ago
the Red Norvo trio with Mingus and Tal goin off and Red goin off with his sometimes 4 mallets...new york city backroom at it's best
austingunsmoke 2 years ago
Steve on bass on this video just performed in my trio. He is a great person and musician. I asked him about Wes ,Tal and others. What stories!
jazz1bro 2 years ago
I lov'em both but for me Red Norvo is always the xylophone player. He swings well but all those fast runs means he never uses the vibe.
And he doesn't even in ballads.
So I love Bags or Cal Tjaeder more
drjukebox 2 years ago
@drjukebox
I guess "never" means you've listened to everything Norvo recorded. Maybe he didn't use it often enough for sanctimonious purists but the recordings are out there. In fact he uses the vibe on another tune from this session.
tpo828 2 years ago
Somethin' about Tals' smooth walk a walk pace and extra note runs where most would stop..not talkin about long show off runs but his phrasing..sounds like a mouse runnin' 'round a house..the 50s Red trio jams were ridiculous...one of my favorite guitarists for sure..amazing how your mind opens..I started as a Black Sabbath disciple in H.School...now I love how everything has it's place...Farlow is a monster guitarist!
austingunsmoke 2 years ago 11
a la mierda, como suena, alto vibrofono
denukio 2 years ago
my father earl crouse was a close friend who played with tal.helluva musician rip
bigeggone2007 2 years ago
I saw Red at the Terrace Lounge in East St Louis about 1954..w Red Mitchell and Jimmy Raney...3 redheads ouch !!!!. Swung like crazy.
portobob 2 years ago
I love Norvo, how he holds his mallets half-way down; how he looks towards the audience, not at his instrument; how he radiates pleasure and optimism, how he listens to the other fellows. I never paid much attention to him, listening to Milt Jackson only, but your video woke me up. Thanks, bobjazz!
BuckshotLaFunke 2 years ago
I had the amazing luck of being in Boston in 1981-82 and saw Farlow with Lenny Breau (Yeah!!) at Sandy's Jazz Revival In Beverly Mass., (now closed I think). No rhythm section, just the two of them, with a little set list on the floor. They had just met that week (apparently been fans of each other for a long time) when Lenny came to New Jersey to spend some time to play with Farlow. An amazing night of music. Of all the amazing music, I think Farlows comping impressed me more than anything.
Lafforte 2 years ago 2
Indeed lucky. I wish I was alive back then just to see it.
Luckly, their legacy remains.
arthurthegreat 2 years ago
i was fortunate to see tal at least 10 years ago at the now gone fox theater in venice, calif. i was also prescient enough to bring one of my prized possessions; an original, near mint condition copy of MOVE, which tal was kind enough to sign.
as we were about to leave, an acquaintance tapped me and said, "there's red norvo."
i 'bout shit my pants - holy mackerel...
my copy of MOVE is, dare i say, pretty unique. if only mingus had been among us but he continues to be humongous...
jp1713 2 years ago
Great music, thanks for posting. Tal is one of my favorite.............BUT..............somebody is WAY behind the beat on the solos. You pick which one.
IncorruptibleTruth 3 years ago
Come parea sto vecchio!!!!!!!!!!!!
grandeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
tazzaconlatte 3 years ago
I had the pleasure of seeing The Red Norvo Trio with Tal Farlow live many years ago at Lincoln Center. Still have the concert ticket stub. Tal was an amazing player,.. saw him more than a few times at The Yankee Clipper in Sea Girt, NJ. Ahh, the old days!
Nocturne305 3 years ago
What a MONSTER PLAYER!!!!
tallica777 3 years ago
Fantastic!
It's magic of her majesty The Jazz!
(and i don't really like this tune, but played like that...)
FaJaGui 3 years ago
exactly! only a cheesy tune till Tal rips the motherf'r up! no excuses
shetalkscrazytalk84 3 years ago
Tal got his first break with Red Norvo (Savoy)& was intimidated by the fast tempos Norvo was famous for. He practiced very hard to increase his speed, & became the fastest guitarist in the world.I still think he did his best work in the 50s, especially around 1956.
minor7b5b9 3 years ago
So true. When I teach I make sure my students know that Tal acquired speed; what makes him special is his ear and ability to play the changes in such interesting ways. Also, watch the way he holds back a bit on the comping and then really starts to swing. Its so great. Mingus was in that original trio and had trouble with those tempos too. Such wonderful music. I'm greatful its still with us!
paynow 3 years ago
I'm also a jazz guitarist and teach as well. He was completely self-taught as was Ed Bickert & a number of other guitar notables I could name. At that time there were no method books for jazz guitar & it was almost impossible to get any. My Dad taught me jazz theory & the rest I had to learn for myself. Someone told me that Tal never learned to read music, but just let his instincts take over. All I know is that he was a true genius, & so humble about his talent. Just a nice guy.
minor7b5b9 3 years ago
Yes, a very nice man. The documentary "Talmage Farlow" by Lorenzo DeStefano is something every guitarist should see. In it Tal says "I never wanted to be a star. I just want to be a participant in making some good music." So many of these so-called "talents" today could stand to learn from that. Humble and wonderful. Great exchanging comments with someone who cares and has knowledge!
paynow 3 years ago
As it happens, I have the videotape "Talmage Farlow." I haven't watched it lately, but I think he plays "Fascinatin' Rhythm" in it.Well, Tal is gone now; he lived an exemplary life despite what others of his profession were doing.I speak of course of the heroin habits picked up by some extraordinarily talented jazz musicians who thought if they took heroin they could play like Bird.The bebop movement in jazz was born out of the pain of this kind of tragic thinking.
minor7b5b9 3 years ago
I had seen it on TV at some point; it was just recently released on DVD. You're right about the drug thing; I remember being in a band with a guy who couldn't play "Taps" on a kazoo when he was straight and thought that doing drugs would make him play like Bird. So dumb.
paynow 3 years ago
Woderfull....great...weher is this video from..? is there a DVD opf this available...?
motreby 3 years ago
Don't think so - it's an old Jazz At The Smithsonian concert and I pulled it off the old Performance Channel on UK TV - The sound was awful - compressed to hell - as you can probably tell
Bob
bobjazz11 3 years ago
It is availble on DVD, from Shanachie. I have a copy. I'm a jazz guitarist and this was my first exposure to Tal when it aired on PBS. The concert is from 1981. The title of the DVD is "Jazz Masters Series: Red Norvo." Google it and you'll find many sites where you can get. Its worth every dime.
paynow 3 years ago
I'm in the states; I don't know all that much about these different TV formats so hopefully the DVD can air everywhere. The sound on the DVD is good. I watch it all the time.
paynow 3 years ago
I first heard Tal with Norvo & Mingus on Savoy records many yrs. ago. But it wasn't until he came out with "The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow" in '56 that I was listening to pure genius. He was to the guitar what Bird was to the alto. To hear bop played on guitar just blew me away. It seems to me that Tal's contribution to bop has been ignored to a great degree, even by some jazz guitarists. It's on CD now, & to my mind, it's still his best work. Just buy it!!!
minor7b5b9 3 years ago
My first exposure to Tal was through that concert on PBS; several years later my teacher played me "The Tal Farlow Album." Right after that I got Savoy Sessions. Your comment about his contribution to bop being ignored: RIGHT ON THE MONEY. It staggers me that he is not given greater credit and that more guitarists don't list him as an influence. I just ordered a copy of "Tal Farlow The Complete 1956 Private Recordings," which are the rare "Fuerst Set" and "Second Set" records on CD.
paynow 3 years ago
I have the CD you just ordered, & you will see why I say that his work which was recorded in 1956 was the best, in my humble opinion, he's ever done. In later yrs. his playing changed, largely due to the fact that he used a drummer. If you ever get a chance to hear him play "Autumn in New York" you will see one of the best intros ever recorded on guitar. My other favorite is Joe Pass' intro to "Satin Doll." Ed Bickert's intro to "Just Squeeze Me" also comes to mind (Paul Desmond). More later....
minor7b5b9 3 years ago
I've heard "Autumn" and "Satin" by those two many times; I've not heard "Just Squeeze Me."
I read a great bio on Desmond, by Doug Ramsey, and in it he talks of the great admiration that Des had for Ed. Both outstanding melodic players.
paynow 3 years ago
Presently I'm reading "Bird Lives" (Ross Russell),"Deep in a Dream" (The Long Night of Chet Baker, by James Gavin & "Stan Getz" by Donald Maggin. I'm going to try to get that book on Paul Desmond by Doug Ramsey (shouldn't be too hard). Desmond had a voice all his own, just like the artists mentioned above, & he made many recordings with guitar instead of piano. Did you know that when the Brubeck Qt. broke up, Desmond promised he would never play with another pianist? I love his work, so melodic
minor7b5b9 3 years ago
I wasn't aware that Desmond had said that. Yes, he was fantastic. In the Ramsey book there is a quote from Bird, saying that Desmond was his favorite player. Why? Because he didn't try to copy Bird!
paynow 3 years ago
Hello ang good evening I know this album of Tal farlow and it's one of it's best recording.Unfortunotly, I have this LP in Paris and I stay in corsica ( a little island in the south of france) and I have let this record in Paris. I have bought, one mont ago a very good record of late work of Tal with one of my favorit Lenny Breau ; the record name is Cnance Meeting (label guitararchives) It's different but really interesting : Louis
oscarnina 3 years ago
I also have "Chance Meeting." The contrasting styles of Tal & Lennie make for a very interesting recording. Tal & Chet Atkins were very close to Lennie, & tried everything to get him off his heroin habit but to no avail. I have seen interviews of Tal & Chet after Lennie's death, & both men broke out in tears. Such a tragic toll heroin took on the lives of such great jazz musicians!
minor7b5b9 3 years ago
Hello, I have this last album with brad terry the living room tapes.I didn't know all this deatails concernin his family ; I prefer when he plays really jazz than contry music with chet. I also like the video with red norvo in fascinating rythm. I can suggest you to see on you tube a very interesting guitarist Mike Oria on a seven string guitar playing yarbird suite. It's the last fresh thing I have seen
Friendly . Louis GRYNER
oscarnina 3 years ago
Hello from France I agree with you I have heard this trio (savoy sessions) a long time ago and I think it's one of the most ineresting trio (without drums) I ever herad! but this trio with tal farlow didn't had to use a drummer !And the most imprtant was the fact that they had so much humour with their arrangements ( september song, I'll remmember april)I have alos bought some months ago the cd (savoy session) ma LP album was completly used! Good bye Louis GRYNER
oscarnina 3 years ago
If you want to really hear how Tal's playing style evolved without a drummer, get the CD "The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow." It came out (LP) in 1956 and featured Eddie Costa on piano & Vinnie Burke on bass. Because there is no drummer, Tal's playing "kicks" itself(that's the best way I can explain it. Ca va bien? Thanks for your reply.
minor7b5b9 3 years ago
Amazing how Tal Farolow's left hand seems to move very little but his fingers are al over the place. I met Tal Farlow in 1981 in Cincinnati, his hands were ginormous.
philh37 3 years ago
The size of his hands were one reason he was able to do things on guitar that no one else could do.
minor7b5b9 3 years ago
Hello I agree with you concerning the particular and personnal technique of tal: I'm surprised that you know his cd with lenny breau, one of the most unknown famous guitarist !If you like also lenny try to listen the record " the velvet touch of lenny breau " and "live at bourbon " . This video "all of me" is incredible . Louis GRYNER
oscarnina 3 years ago
I have been a fan of Lennie Breau for many yrs. We are both Canadian. Before he left Canada, he appeared on many Canadian TV showws, & made a number of LPs. I also have the last sessions he ever recorded; they were made with a clarinetist; just the two instruments in someone's living room. Lennie first started on guitar as a boy; his mother & father had a country & western band. I liked his work better before he started that "harp" sound. I thought his work had more swing to it before then.
minor7b5b9 3 years ago
I think the best part of "All of Me" is when Tal and Red play point-counterpoint on the tune. I also wish the recording had been better; I guess it was recorded live with only one mic.
minor7b5b9 3 years ago