Larry Carlton - Collection

The first volume of GRP's Larry Carlton Collection takes the listener from the beginning of his solo career up to 1990. Starting off with one cut from his first Warner Bros. album, Larry Carlton, the collection goes on to include two tracks each from Sleepwalk and Friends, two each from the acoustic guitar albums Alone/But Never Alone and Discovery, and one from On Solid Ground. In addition, the CD throws in two then-new tracks, "Small Town Girl" and "For Heaven's Sake" -- pleasant melodic pieces with acoustic guitar lead, nothing extraordinary. Along the way, you'll hear some very catchy tunes long identified with Carlton ("Smiles and Smiles to Go," "High Steppin'," and "Minute by Minute"), a mellower rendition of "Nite Crawler" than the version he recorded as a Crusader, and the relaxed, funky "Bubble Shuffle." For some changes of pace, there is an affectionate tribute to the surf sounds from near his hometown of Torrance ("Sleepwalk"), and one harder-edged number, "Blues for TJ," that finds Carlton crossing swords with B.B. King virtually as an equal. Mostly, though, this is ingratiating smooth jazz that very often transcends the conventions of the idiom. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide

Name Credits Abraham Laboriel Bass Al Jarreau Vocals Alan Pasqua Keyboard Programming, Programming, Keyboards Allen Sides Engineer, Remixing Andy Baltimore Creative Director B.B. King Guitar Bernie Grundman Mastering Bill Reichenbach Jr. Horn Brian Mann Synthesizer, Organ Chris Bellman Mastering, Editing Dave Rouze Programming, Drum Programming, Drums David Pack Vocals Dean Parks Guitar (Rhythm) Don Ferrman Arranger Don Freeman Arranger, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, Piano Eric Pershing Synthesizer, ?, Programming, Keyboards Gary Grant Horn George Varga Liner Notes George Varhas Liner Notes Greg Mathieson Keyboards Jeff Porcaro Drums Jerry Hey Horn, Arranger, Horn Arrangements Joe Pena Bass Joe Sample Keyboards, Piano, Fender Rhodes John "J.R." Robinson Drums John Ferraro Drums John Pena Bass Karen Andrew Producer, Production Coordination Kathleen Covert Design, Art Direction Kirk Whalum Saxophone, Horn Larry Carlton Bass, Remixing, Vocals, Keyboards, Producer, Arranger, Guitar (Acoustic), Engineer, Guitar Larry Williams Woodwind Michael Brecker Saxophone Michael Fischer Percussion Michael Fisher Percussion Michael McDonald Keyboards Michael Verdick Engineer, Remixing Michael Verkick Remixing Michele Pillar Vocals Mike Reese Mastering Paulinho Da Costa Percussion Pops Popwell Bass Rick Marotta Drums Rik Pekkonen Mixing, Remixing, Engineer Robert Popwell Bass Suzanne Sherman Producer, Production Coordination Terry Trotter DX-7, Keyboards, Piano, Synthesizer, Fender Rhodes Tim White Photography William Reichenbach Horn