LARRY CORYELL : THE RESTFUL MIND [VANGUARD - ESP 1975] LP

Larry Coryell "The Restful Mind"  LP

(Vanguard)  1975 Made in Spain

cat. num. HVAS 471-27

#jazz #jazz rock #fussion

Improvisation On Robert De Visee's Menuet II 8:13

Ann Arbor 5:01

Pavane For A Dead Princess 5:40

Improvisation On Robert De Visee's Sarabande 5:20

Song For Jim Webb 3:15

Julie La Belle 4:07

The Restful Mind 3:12

Guitarist Larry Coryell recorded several sessions for the Vanguard label during the '70s with varying results. He did manage two classics, Spaces, and this one, The Restful Mind. It is no small coincidence that the better the personnel he surrounded himself with, the better he played. On Spaces, the presence of John McLaughlin and Chick Corea raised his playing to another level. Here, with the backing of the group Oregon (with the exception of Paul McCandless), who were also signed to Vanguard at this time), bring out a more reflective and relaxed Coryell. His tendency to fall back on his chops was always a weak spot in his playing, but it is thankfully absent here. Both of the "Improvisation" pieces are highlights in Coryell's career, which along with the other beaufitul selections, make this one of his best, and certainly most overlooked, recordings.