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.
The Christmas Song
Larry Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you!
Larry Carlton's The Christmas Song opens with an idyllic scene of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, bringing a sense of warmth and comfort that is synonymous with the holiday season. The mention of Jack Frost nipping at your nose serves as a reminder that winter can also be harsh and unforgiving. However, this contrast is softened by the joyous Yule-tide carols that fill the air, sung by a choir, and the image of people dressed up like Eskimos, emphasizing the festive spirit and the sense of community that the holiday brings.
The following verse includes a mention of the ubiquitous Christmas symbols of turkey and mistletoe, which undeniably add to the cheerful atmosphere of the season. The image of tiny tots with their eyes all aglow emphasizes the wonder and excitement that children experience during the holiday, making it hard for them to sleep as they anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus. The lyrics also make a reference to the iconography of Santa, depicting him as a jolly figure carrying toys and goodies on his sleigh and his reindeer, capable of flight.
The final verse features Carlton acknowledging the many ways the sentiment of Merry Christmas has been conveyed throughout time, offering his own version of well-wishes to people young and old, from one to ninety-two. The lyrics of The Christmas Song by Larry Carlton put forward the festive spirit characterized by warmth, kindness, and togetherness, offering a sense of comfort during the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
The festive tradition of roasting chestnuts on an open fire, which adds to the cozy and warm feelings of the holiday season.
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
The chilly weather during winter season which brings with it, unique and whimsical experiences, such as feeling the cold bite of Jack Frost.
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
The traditional songs of the Yuletide season, being sung by a choir, which adds to the joy and festivity of the atmosphere.
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
The fun and lightheartedness of the holiday season, where people dress up in their warmest clothes, sometimes resembling Eskimos, to keep warm and celebrate together.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
The familiar sights of the holiday season, such as turkey and mistletoe, which bring in the warmth and joy associated with the festivities.
Help to make the season bright
The happiness and cheer that are brought about by the holiday season, thanks to the presence of these familiar decorations and traditions.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
The delight and excitement felt by small children, who are so excited and energized by the magic and wonder of the holiday season.
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
The excitement and anticipation felt by children, which makes it difficult for them to sleep on the night before Christmas day.
They know that Santa's on his way
The belief held by children, that Santa Claus is coming to bring them presents and joy, which adds to their excitement and anticipation.
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
The traditional image of Santa Claus, with his sleigh loaded with presents, which is a symbol of the spirit of generosity and warmth associated with the holiday season.
And every mother's child is gonna spy
The curiosity and eagerness felt by every child, to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus and his reindeer, which adds to the sense of magic and wonder of the holiday season.
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
The wonder and magic of the holiday season, which inspires children to imagine and believe in the impossible, such as the idea of Santa Claus's sleigh being pulled by flying reindeer.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
The sincere message of goodwill and joy, being shared by the artist- a simple phrase wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
To kids from one to ninety-two
The universal sentiment of joy and celebration, that is shared among people of all ages, from children to the elderly.
Although it's been said many times, many ways
The timeless and familiar message of greeting that is exchanged during the holiday season, in different ways and by different people, yet with the same sentiment of joy and goodwill.
Merry Christmas to you!
The traditional holiday greeting, being wished to everyone, to spread joy, warmth, and happiness during the festive period.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind