Artist: Carl Orr

Date of Release: 01/06/2006

Catalogue no: 921

Label: carlorr.com

Price: £12

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Track Listing

All compositions by Carl Orr copyright 2006

MUSICIANS :
Carl Orr : guitar
Pete Whittaker : organ
Nic France : drums
with
Christian Brewer : alto sax
Butch Thomas : tenor and soprano saxes
Julian Bury : bass
Steve Rose : piano
Ernire McKone : programming

While my previous cds have involved a blend of jazz, funk and rock, the new disc explores aspects of music and guitar playing that I haven't covered in earlier recordings; organ-based jazz, bossa nova and solo pieces.

Like most guitarists, I love the sound of guitar and organ together. Although I enjoy traditional bluesy, earthy organ jazz, it's not my natural habitat so I just followed my instincts and put my own stamp on this classic format, writing several compositions that were based around the warm, orchestral sound of the organ; a simple 5/4 tune, a slow, atmospheric exploration, a fast 'jungle' workout and a couple of bossa novas. I tried to find a balance between making the compositions interesting and keeping them simple enough for the musicians to feel comfortable with after minimal rehearsal.

Equipment-wise I stuck to a very simple guitar and amp setup, concentrating
on playing with energy, directness and spontaneity, and producing a decent tone.

The main body of the cd is five tracks featuring Pete Whittaker on organ and Nic France on drums. They are both outstanding musicians and big-hearted, generous guys as you can hear from their great playing throughout. We are joined at various points by saxophonists Christian Brewer and Butch Thomas and bassist Julian Bury, who all turned in great performances.

The disc also features five acoustic guitar-based compositions; two are bossa novas featuring overdubbed guitars (plus some great piano playing from Steve Rose) and three are short, totally composed solo pieces, showcasing an aspect of my music that has never before been recorded. Also included is my only recording to date of an electronic, programmed composition.

Deep Down is a big departure from my previous albums and, notwithstanding dramatic variations in musical style I feel it hangs together as a whole, making for, I hope, an interesting musical journey.

Reviews

03/10/2006 jamie renton

When not playing sessions with everyone from Damon Albarn to Billy Cobham, firebrand London-based Aussie ex-pat guitarist Orr has honed his sound over a series of increasingly impressive CDs. This latest is his most diverse to date with everything from programmed beats to gentle solo classical guitar pieces. But the majority of the album features his take on the organ combo sound (featuring the excellent Pete Whittaker), filtered through a post-Coltrane, post-funk sensibility. There's melodic invention a-plenty here(such as on the strikingly beautiful Peace by peaceful means), alongside fierce improvisation, elegant swing and an abiding air of spirituality. A mature and powerful musical statement. Jamie Renton, Straight no Chaser.