Murali Coryell - Sugar Lips (2009)

Tracklist

01. Blame It On Me
02. What You Gonna Do About Me?
03. Closer to You Baby
04. Mother's Day
05. What Works On You
06. Sugar Lips
07. I Could've Had You
08. Still Rockin'
09. Minor Funk
10. I Still Do
11. Music Sets You Free
12. Where Is the Spirit?

Murali Coryell is the son of Texas-born jazz guitar legend Larry Coryell, but at heart, he's an old-school rock & roller. Playing Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster electric guitars, the younger Coryell likes to play lean and mean; though his voice is good, it's not particularly distinctive, but a work in progress. He also has a soft spot in his heart for authentic blues, boogie, and the occasional reflective soul song. Father Larry shows up on several of these selections, as does Joe Louis Walker, and in tandem with drummer/co-songwriter Tom Hambridge, keyboardist Reese Wynans, and bassist Steve Mackey, Murali thoroughly enjoys tearing it up on this set of all originals. One song in particular is emotionally riveting: Mother's Day is an acoustic guitar feature with both Coryells, and is dedicated to Julie Coryell, who passed away in 2009 on this intended celebratory, but instead, memorial day. Otherwise, the pronounced boogie school of rock is heard during Blame It on Me with a small horn section, and in the John Lee Hooker style for the title track. More in the electric blues vein, I Still Do with Walker has that classic Chicago feeling, while Minor Funk has Walker singing with Murali and has hot potential. Most of the music is more funky than 12-bar, with What You Gonna Do About Me? done in contemporary Robert Cray fashion, while I Could've Had You combines acoustic and Stratocaster in a thoughtful mood, and Closer to You Baby is played in a pop vein à la the Doobie Brothers. The retro Still Rockin' is straight out of Chuck Berry's bag, bringing it all back home. With his background, Murali Coryell can't help but be diverse and try different things, while staying true to his roots and his dad's get-down attitude.