A rock, jazz, blues and funk tribute to the guitar legend.
Steven I. Ramm | Phila, PA USA | 10/19/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Les Paul is certainly a legend and - at 93 - is still performing TWO shows EVERY Monday at Iridium Jazz Club in New York City. (Someone should tell Slash, who wrote the liner notes in August 2008 and says Paul plays every Tuesday at Fat Tuesday's (where Paul USED to play until 10 years ago.)
But that piece of incorrect knowledge is the only weakness in this CD which, not only pays tribute to Paul, but seven of the 10 tracks feature the electric guitar inventor and legend somewhere in the background. (It would be great to know when Johnny Rzeznik, Peter Frampton or Paul are playing on U2's "All I Want Is You").
All styles of music are here - from the soul of the Joan Osborne track and the one with Mick Hucknall and Joe Perry through the funk of Lisa Fischer ("Slippin' Into Darkness") and on to the jazz of Jeff Golub ("How Long") and "69 Freedom Special" with Paul out front and even Edgar Winter on sax! The quietest and most laid back number is "Vocalise" with Paul in absentia but the aforementioned Slash on lead guitar. Not only is this "mood music" but - though titled "Volcalise" - there's not a vocal in sight. Actually this is one of my favorite tracks, with Osborne's " I Don't Want Nobody But You" running a close second.
The late Hiram Bullock appears here in guitar on several tracks and has lead vocal on one. It was his last recording.
This is an independent project being released through EMI special products by the Immergent label. If you are a guitarist, you will definitely want this one. Even if you aren't (and I'm not), you'll still want to check this CD out!
Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"
"
Good for one track
K. Brower | somewhere out there | 03/17/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"the best track on here is the johnny rzeznik "all i want is you" the rest is okay but i wouldn't buy this disc for anything else.."
Great album
Dylana Foy | Long Beach, CA | 10/24/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Les Paul is awesome, I'm glad there is a tribute to him out there. My fav song on the album is "Love all I want is you" by Johnny Rzeznik and Slash."