Carlton's studio credits from the 1970s and early '80s include musicians and groups like Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr., Herb Alpert, Quincy Jones, Bobby Bland, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and literally dozens of others. Among his more notable projects as a session guitarist were Joni Mitchell's critically acclaimed Court and Spark and Hejira albums, Steely Dan's The Royal Scam album, and Donald Fagen's Nightfly album. For much of the 1970s, Carlton was active as a session guitarist, recording on up to 500 albums a year. Although he recorded a number of LPs under his own name as early as 1968's With a Little Help from My Friends (Uni), and 1973's Singing/Playing, he didn't land a major-label contract until 1978, when he signed with Warner Bros.
Carlton began taking guitar lessons when he was six. His first professional gig was at a supper club in 1962. After hearing Joe Pass on the radio, he was inspired to play jazz and blues. Wes Montgomery and Barney Kessel became important influences soon after he discovered the jazz guitar stylings of Pass. B.B. King and other blues guitarists had an impact on Carlton's style as well. He honed his guitar-playing skills in the clubs and studios of greater Los Angeles. He attended a local junior college and Long Beach State College for a year until the Vietnam War ended. Carlton toured with the Fifth Dimension in 1968 and began doing studio sessions in 1970. His early session work included studio dates with pop musicians like Vicki Carr, Andy Williams and the Partridge Family. In 1971, he was asked to join the Crusaders shortly after they'd decided to drop the word "Jazz'' from their name, and he remained with the group until 1976. In between tours with the Crusaders, he also did studio session work for hundreds of recordings in every genre. But it was while he with the Crusaders that he developed the highly rhythmic, often bluesy style he has now. His credits include performing on more than 100 gold albums. His theme music credits for TV and films include Against All Odds, Who's the Boss, and the theme for Hill Street Blues. The latter won a Grammy award in 1981 for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
Carlton delivered his self-titled debut for Warner Bros. in 1978, shortly after he was recognized for his ground-breaking guitar playing on Steely Dan's Royal Scam album. (Carlton contributed the memorable guitar solo on "Kid Charlemagne", and the opening to "Don't Take Me Alive.") He released four more albums for Warner Bros., Strikes Twice (1980), Sleepwalk (1981), Eight Times Up (1982), and the Grammy-nominated Friends (1983), before being dropped from the label.
He continued studio session work and touring in between, emerging again in 1986 on MCA Records with an all-acoustic album, Discovery, which contained an instrumental remake of Michael McDonald's hit, "Minute by Minute." The single won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1987. Carlton's live album, Last Nite, released in 1987, got him a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance.
While working on his next album for MCA, On Solid Ground, Carlton was the victim of random gun violence, and was shot in the throat by gun-wielding juveniles outside Room 335, his private studio near Burbank, California. The bullet shattered his vocal cord and caused significant nerve trauma, but through intensive therapy and a positive frame of mind, Carlton completed work on On Solid Ground in 1989. Carlton formed Helping Innnocent People (HIP), a non-profit group to aid victims of random gun violence.
Carlton's most recent albums include two releases in 1996 for GRP Records, Gift and With a Little Help from My Friends. His other recordings include 1990's Collection and 1992's Kid Gloves for the same label, Playing/Singing (1995, Edsel), and Renegade Gentleman, a 1993 release for GRP.
Despite the tragedy that was foisted on him in the late '80s, dragging him through a long and dark period of hospitalization and rehabilitation, Carlton's output over the years has been steady through the 1980s and 1990s. Carlton seems to have slowed down his touring schedule a bit, but certainly not his recording schedule. Always happy to meet with the press, Carlton has a sweet, peaceful personality, and one can hear it in his unique, rhythmic, warm guitar chords and ringing guitar tones.
Larry Carlton's niece is pop singer/songwriter Vanessa Carlton.
Roll With It
Larry Carlton Lyrics
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Don't stop and lose your touch, oh no, baby
Hard times knocking on your door, I'll tell them you ain't there no more
Get on through it, roll with it, baby
Luck'll come and then slip away, you've gotta move, bring it back to stay
You just roll with it, baby, come on and just roll with it, baby
You and me, roll with it, baby, hang on and just roll with it, baby
The way that you love is good as money
I swear by stars above, sweet as honey
People think you're down and out, you show them what it's all about
You can make it, roll with it, baby
When this world turns its back on you,
hang in and do that sweet thing you do
You just roll with it, baby, you just roll with it, baby
Come on and just roll with it, baby, you and me, just roll with it, baby
Now there'll be a day you'll get there, baby, you'll hear the music
play, you'll dance, baby
You'll leave bad times way behind, nothing but good times on your mind
You can do it, roll with it, baby
Then you'll see life will be so nice, it's just a step up to paradise
You just roll with it, baby, you just roll with it, baby
You and me, just roll with it, baby, Come on and just roll with it, baby
The lyrics to Larry Carlton's song Roll With It are a message of perseverance and resilience when faced with adversity. The song encourages the listener to keep moving forward, not giving up when life becomes difficult, and letting go of the negative energy. The opening lines set the tone for the song: "When life is too much, roll with it, baby. Don't stop and lose your touch, oh no, baby." This advice is given with the acknowledgement that hard times are inevitable: "Hard times knocking on your door, I'll tell them you ain't there no more. Get on through it, roll with it, baby."
The song then reminds the listener that luck will come and go, but it's important to keep pushing forward: "Luck'll come and then slip away, you've gotta move, bring it back to stay." The chorus is a simple, but effective mantra that reinforces the message of perseverance: "You just roll with it, baby, come on and just roll with it, baby. You and me, roll with it, baby, hang on and just roll with it, baby." The second verse reinforces the theme of resilience and not giving up on love when times get tough: "The way that you love is good as money. I swear by stars above, sweet as honey. People think you're down and out, you show them what it's all about. You can make it, roll with it, baby." The song ends on a hopeful note, promising that good times are ahead for those who persevere: "Now there'll be a day you'll get there, baby, you'll hear the music play, you'll dance, baby. You'll leave bad times way behind, nothing but good times on your mind. You can do it, roll with it, baby. Then you'll see life will be so nice, it's just a step up to paradise."
Line by Line Meaning
When life is too much, roll with it, baby
During tough times, don't give up, stay positive and adapt to the situation
Don't stop and lose your touch, oh no, baby
Don't let hardships and disappointments stop you from pursuing your goals and aspirations
Hard times knocking on your door, I'll tell them you ain't there no more
Refuse to be affected by difficult circumstances and stay focused on what you want to achieve
Get on through it, roll with it, baby
Push through the hard times, keep going and maintain a positive outlook
Luck'll come and then slip away, you've gotta move, bring it back to stay
Fortune can come and go, so be proactive and work hard to maintain your success
The way that you love is good as money
Your love and affection are just as valuable as money or possessions
I swear by stars above, sweet as honey
Your love is sincere and genuine, like the sweetness of honey and the beauty of the stars
People think you're down and out, you show them what it's all about
Even when others doubt you or underestimate you, prove them wrong by succeeding and persevering
You can make it, roll with it, baby
You have the capability to overcome obstacles, just stay positive and adapt to the situation
When this world turns its back on you, hang in and do that sweet thing you do
Even when the world seems against you, stay true to yourself and your passions, and continue to shine
Now there'll be a day you'll get there, baby, you'll hear the music play, you'll dance, baby
One day you'll achieve your dreams, feel the joy and happiness, and celebrate by dancing and enjoying life
You'll leave bad times way behind, nothing but good times on your mind
Once you overcome difficult times, you'll have a positive and optimistic outlook, embracing the good times to come
Then you'll see life will be so nice, it's just a step up to paradise
Once you achieve your dreams and overcome struggles, life will feel amazing, like paradise is within reach
You just roll with it, baby, you just roll with it, baby
Stay positive and adapt to the situation, letting life's challenges roll off your back
Come on and just roll with it, baby, you and me, just roll with it, baby
We can both stay positive together, and adapt to any situation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EDWARD JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND, WILL JENNINGS, STEVE WINWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind