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.
Where Did You Come From
Larry Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Simply takes my breath away
When you speak its wet and round
How can I get my mouth and my lips to say
Sit and talk with me a while
Show me what there is to say
Promise I will make you smile
Ooh baby, where did you come from
Ooh honey, where did you come from
Ooh baby, where did you come from
Ooh honey, where did you come from
You filled my life with love
You have walked in all my dreams
Still they're brand new every time
Hearing you laugh I hear a theme
Like a velvet pocket full of crystal dimes
Hearing your voice I hear a sound
Simply takes my breath away
When you speak its wet and round
How can I get my mouth and my lips to say
Ooh baby, where did you come from
Ooh honey, where did you come from
Ooh baby, where did you come from
Ooh honey, where did you come from
You filled my life with love
The lyrics of Larry Carlton's "Where Did You Come From" describe a deep admiration and wonder towards a loved one. The singer is taken aback and left breathless by their partner's voice, describing it as "wet and round". The singer is mesmerized by their partner's laugh and describes it as a "theme" that is like a "velvet pocket full of crystal dimes". The singer is in awe of their partner's presence and wonders where they came from, filling their life with love and bringing new and exciting things to their dreams.
The lyrics depict a sense of deep love and infatuation towards the partner. The singer is moved by their partner's presence and voice, which has left an indelible mark on them. They want to spend time with them, to listen to what they have to say, and to show them that they will make them smile. The lyrics are an expression of the deep and profound love that the singer feels for their partner and how they have filled their life with joy and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Hearing your voice I hear a sound
I feel an intense sensation every time I hear your voice.
Simply takes my breath away
You leave me in awe and wonder.
When you speak its wet and round
Your words are smooth and clear.
How can I get my mouth and my lips to say
It's hard to express how I feel when I'm around you.
Sit and talk with me a while
Let's spend time together and have a conversation.
Show me what there is to say
Open up to me and share your thoughts and feelings.
Promise I will make you smile
I will do my best to make you happy and bring joy to your life.
Watch for every heartbeat each and every day
I will always be there for you and take care of you.
Ooh baby, where did you come from
I am amazed by how wonderful you are and where you came from.
Ooh honey, where did you come from
I can't believe how lucky I am to have you in my life.
You filled my life with love
You have brought so much love and happiness into my life.
You have walked in all my dreams
You are my perfect dream come true.
Still they're brand new every time
My love for you never gets old.
Hearing you laugh I hear a theme
Your laughter brings music to my ears.
Like a velvet pocket full of crystal dimes
Your laughter is precious and valuable to me.
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.