American made, world played (2005)

Paul, Les & Friends (Capitol/EMI Records, 094633914421)

A studio pioneer and arguably the most innovative musician of his generation, Waukesha, WI native Les Paul created the solid-body guitar that bears his name. He was also a pioneer in the creation of multi-track recording and effects units. As a guitarist, he was an original jazz stylist who incoporated elements of blues, pop, and country. He started out recording with his own trio, but in the early '50s, the records he made with his wife Mary Ford, where she overdubbed several tracks of harmonized vocals, became huge pop hits. Enormously influential through both his musical and technological achievements, Paul continued to perform well into his eighties.

Les Paul & Friends - American made world played is an incredible album, it is in fact one of the very best recordings of 2005. Paul plays on every track. The quality and sound of this album is absolutely fantastic. Each performer digs deep to give their very best on each track. There is no doubt each contributor felt inspired to be in the presence of such an icon.

Tracklist

  1. Introduction (Excerpt from the Les Paul radio show ca 1949)
  2. Love sneakin' up on you (Scott, Snow)
  3. Rock & roll hootchie koo (Rick Derringer)
  4. Somebody ease my troublin' mind (Sam Cooke)
  5. So into you (Buie, Daughtry, Nix)
  6. How high the moon (Hamilton, Lewis jr)
  7. Bas case of lovin' you (Martin)
  8. I wanna know you (Schon, Hart, Cutarella, Cathcart)
  9. (Ain't that) Good news (Sam Cooke)
  10. Let me roll it (Paul McCartney)
  11. Caravan (Ellington, Tizol, Mills)
  12. Good morning, little schoolgirl (Level, Love)
  13. All I want is you (Bono, Clayton, The Edge, Mullen jr)
  14. 69 Freedom special (Hall, McCarty, Rich)
  15. Fly like an eagle (2005) (Steve Miller)
  16. I love you more than you'll ever know (Al Kooper)

Credits

on Love sneakin' up on you:
Sting - lead vocals
Joss Stone - lead vocals
Kenny Wayne Shepard - slide guitar
Les Paul - guitar
Steve Lukather - guitar
Abe Laboriel sr - bass
Abe Laboriel jr - drums, percussion
Lou Forestieri - clavinet, organ
Fran Catchcart - guitar

Musicians on Rock & roll hootchie koo:
Edgar Winter & Noah Hunt - lead vocals
Kenny Wayne Shepard - guitar
Les Paul - guitar
Steve Lukather - acoustic & electric guitar
Abe Laboriel sr - bass
Abe Laboriel jr - drums, percussion
Lou Forestieri - clavinet, organ
Fran Catchcart - guitar

Other musicians:
Richie Sambora, Steve Miller, Billy Gibbons, Johnny Rzeznik, Buddy Guy (vocals, guitar); Sam Cooke, Beth Hart, Alsou (vocals); Eric Clapton, Hiram Bullock, Joe Perry, Keith Richards, Neal Schon, Peter Frampton, Rick Derringer, Kenny Olsen, Barry Goldstein (guitar); Edgar Winter, Louis Cortelezzi (saxophone); Jim Feeling (trumpet); Dave King (trombone); Marc Urselli (piano); Greg Mathieson, Joseph Wooten, Brian Mitchell (keyboards); Will Lee, Billy Peterson (bass guitar); Kenny Aronoff, Vinnie Colaiuta, Shawn Pelton, Gordy Knudsen (drums); Daniel Moreno (percussion); Luke Ebbin (background vocals); Mick Hucknall