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There is one man that has single-handedly changed the face of modern
music in more ways than I can count. There is one man who has been
a hero to every young person who ever picked up the guitar with dreams
of playing in a rock and roll band, jazz group, or any kind of musical
ensemble. There is one man who has always been the most friendly and
kindest of hearts, even when he was one of the most popular and sought
after musicians of the last hundred years. That man is Les Paul.
Everyone knows his name. Everyone knows his guitar. Everyone should
know his playing when they hear it.
This record is a tribute to the man who invented multi-track recording
and the solidbody electric guitar, the man who had a string of popular
hits with his wife Mary Ford, the man who can count among his
close friends many of the greatest musicians of the modern era, and
the man who made jazz music a must know for rockers - and just about
everyone. The songs on this record - all of them written and originally
recorded by folks that wouldn't have been able to do it without Les's
inventions and influence - are re-workings of some very famous rock
and roll tracks from the last 50 years. Each of these tracks feature
a host of celebrity talent, and each of them features Les Paul, himself,
playing guitar. Of course, there are only a few moments when one can
actually tell it is Les playing - which is where this album falls
short. The songs are very good, with some real bright moments (the
funky re-working of "Caravan", and the riotously blues heavy
"Bad Case Of Loving You", featuring Billy Gibbons),
but to say this is a Les Paul recording is a bit of a misnomer. I
prefer to think of this as a collection of songs put together with
the notion of hanging out and spending some time with Les, learning
a thing or two from the master, and having a real good time. Folks
looking to hear some stellar Les Paul guitar playing will be disappointed
by this album, but people who understand the impact the man has had
on so many will surely treasure the recording.
I've been blessed to be able to have been in the audience at a couple
Les's weekly gigs in New York City. I count those experiences as some
of the greatest musical moments of my entire life. I have been in
the kind warm glow of Les Paul's good nature and youthful heart…
and I wish to send my regards, along with all these others, to one
of the greatest guitar players and men of all time.
-Embo Blake
Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. Love Sneakin' Up On You - Sting & Joss Stone
3. Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo - Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Edgar
Winter
4. Somebody Ease My Troublin' Mind - Eric Clapton & Sam Cooke
5. So Into You - Peter Frampton
6. How High The Moon - Les Paul & Alsou
7. Bad Case Of Lovin' You - Billy Gibbons (of ZZ Top)
8. I Wanna Know You - Neal Schon & Beth Hart
9. Good News - Jeff Beck & Sam Cooke
10. Let Me Roll It - Richie Sambora
11. Caravan - Les Paul
12. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl - Buddy Guy, Keith Richards,
Rick Derringer
13. All I Want Is You - Johnny Rzeznik (of Goo Goo Dolls)
14. 69 Freedom Special - Les Paul & Friends All Star Jam
15. Fly Like An Eagle (2005) - Steve Miller
16. I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know - Joe Perry & Mick
Hucknall (of Simply Red)
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Les
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