Hubert Laws - 1978 - California Suite

Claude Bolling / Hubert Laws
1978
California Suite

01. California (Main Title) 5:02
02. Love Theme From "California Suite" 6:58
03. Black Battle 3:36
04. Hanna's Daughter 1:16
05. Black Folks 4:16
06. Hanna's Theme 4:22
07. Academy Awards 4:00
08. Beverly Hills 5:07
09. California (End Credits) 2:25

Bass – Chuck Damonico
Piano – Claude Bolling
Drums – Shelly Manne
Flute – Hubert Laws
Flute, Soprano Saxophone – Bud Shank
Guitar – Tommy Tedesco
Piano – Ralph Grierson

I have been a HUGE fan of Claude Bolling's work since I was introduced to his "Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio" back in mid-2001. Since then I have slowly tracked down his works and now have in CD format most of his post-1975 compositions. "California Suite" is enjoyable enough, but overall it lacks the richness and depth of Bolling's other works. Now, having said that, "California Suite" is also a Hubert Laws CD. Laws is a wonderfully diverse flutist whose skill crosses between classical, jazz, rhythm-and-blues, and pop in a more lively way than, say Sir James Galway, whose flawless flutistry has thrilled the masses while clearly remaining in its own musical universe. I was unaware when I purchased the CD that it was the soundtrack to Neil Simon's 1978 movie of the same name, which may be part of the reason why I have to give a three-star rating to the music. Laws' touch on the pieces is most enjoyable, Bollings' piano and composition is stellar, but overall the CD is brief, frenetic, and lacks the flow anticipated by Bolling's other compositions.

I didn't like this the first time I listened to it but upon successive listening, it's become one of my favorite Bolling collaborations. Laws, of course, does a stellar job but Bolling's plays the piano a little differently on this than he does on the other albums he's made. In fact, I find this album too short and always wish they'd have played on longer.