|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZKLUGH, Earl(b 16 Sep. '54, Detroit) Guitar. Self- taught, infl. by Chet Atkins and George Van Eps as a child, teaching and recording with Yusef Lateef at 15 (Suite 16 '70), then joining George Benson (White Rabbit '71), then replacing Billy Connors in Chick Corea's Return to Forever, where he gained experience with electronics, but continued playing acoustic nylon-stringed guitar. His music is a blend of pop, R&B, jazz becoming easy-listening which can be enjoyed for his guitar playing alone. Nearly all his LPs reached Billboard pop LP chart, all on EMI labels (Blue Note, Liberty, UA, Capitol) except as noted: Earl Klugh and Living Inside Your Love '76, Finger Paintings '77, Magic In Your Eyes '78 (with guests Atkins, Paulhino Da Costa), Heart String '79; One On One '79 on Tappan Zee was a duo with pianist/composer Bob James (b 25 Dec. '39, Marsall MO), won a Grammy. Dream Come True '80, Late Night Guitar '80, Crazy For You '81, Two Of A Kind (with James) '82, Low Ride '83, Wishful Thinking '83, Nightsongs '84, Soda Fountain Shuffle '85 on WB. Soundtrack albums incl. How To Beat The High Cost Of Living '80 (with Hubert Laws) on Columbia, collaborations with composer Pat Williams on Marvin And Tige c'83 on Capitol, Just Between Friends '86 on WB. Further chart albums were Life Stories '86, Collaboration '87 (with Benson), Whispers And Promises '89, Midnight in San Juan '91 and Cool '92 (with James again). The last three did not make the top 150 albums, but it is remarkable that such relatively laid-back music continued to reach the pop chart for nearly 20 years, testimony to Klugh's playing and to the loyalty of his fans. Other albums have been Solo Guitar '89, The Earl Klugh Trio Volume One '91 with Ralphe Armstrong and Gene Dunlap; Volume Two -- Sounds And Visions '93 (film themes), Move '94 and Sudden Burst Of Energy '96 with larger groups, all on WB; Late Night Guitar with orchestra on One Way. |