Late Night Guitar
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Album Summary
Late Night Guitar arrived in 1980 on the GRP Records label, and honey, when this record dropped, it felt like somebody opened a window on a warm summer night and let the breeze roll right through your living room. Earl Klugh — already a giant among acoustic guitarists by this point — brought his signature fingerstyle mastery to a collection of timeless standards and contemporary pieces, weaving that nylon-string magic that only he could conjure. The production carried that polished, intimate sheen that GRP Records was becoming known for, putting Klugh's guitar front and center with tasteful, understated accompaniment that never once got in the way of the man's touch. This was an album born out of a moment when Klugh had firmly established himself as one of the most beloved figures in contemporary jazz, and Late Night Guitar stands as a pure, unhurried statement of everything that made him extraordinary.
Reception
- The album performed with solid commercial strength in the early 1980s contemporary jazz and crossover markets, consistent with Klugh's proven ability to connect with a broad audience of discerning listeners.
- Late Night Guitar reinforced Klugh's standing as a leading voice in acoustic jazz guitar, earning appreciation from both the jazz faithful and the wider mainstream audience that had come to love his sound.
Significance
- Late Night Guitar stands as a defining document of the early 1980s contemporary jazz aesthetic — proof positive that acoustic guitar, in the right hands, could carry a whole album with grace, soul, and undeniable warmth.
- The album represents the kind of sophisticated, accessible artistry that GRP Records was building its identity around, and Klugh's presence on the label helped set a standard for what contemporary jazz could sound and feel like.
- Through readings of timeless material — from 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes' to 'Tenderly' to 'A Time For Love' — Klugh demonstrated that the fingerstyle acoustic guitar was not just a jazz instrument but a universal voice capable of touching the deepest part of the human spirit.
Tracklist
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A1 Smoke Gets In Your Eyes 80
1:57
-
A2 Nice To Be Around (Nice To Have Around) 123
2:58
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A3 Like A Lover 130
2:41
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A4 Laura 78
1:43
-
A5 Jamaica Farewell 120
3:24
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A6 Tenderly 64
1:50
-
A7 Mona Lisa 87
2:53
-
B1 Triste 81
2:05
-
B2 Two For The Road 91
4:22
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B3 Mirabella 116
2:48
-
B4 Lisbon Antiqua —
2:03
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B5 A Time For Love 73
2:49
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B6 I'll Never Say Goodbye (The Promise) 86
3:51
Artist Details
Earl Klugh was an American fingerstyle acoustic guitarist born on September 16, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan, who emerged as a solo artist in the early 1970s after gaining early experience playing with George Shearing and then Chick Corea. His signature sound blended jazz, classical guitar technique, bossa nova, and pop into a warm, lyrical style that made him one of the most distinctive acoustic guitarists in contemporary jazz. Klugh earned sixteen Grammy nominations throughout his career, winning one in 1981 for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for his collaborative album with Bob James, Two of a Kind, cementing his place as a commercially successful yet critically respected artist. His ability to bring sophisticated jazz phrasing to a wide audience helped bridge the gap between jazz purists and mainstream listeners during the smooth jazz era of the 1970s and 1980s. Klugh remained a beloved and influential figure in acoustic jazz guitar until his death on May 27, 2010, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire guitarists across multiple genres.
