Bman's Blues Report

I've just received a copy of the newly released, Guitar Monsters by Chet Atkins and Les Paul. This recording, originally released on vinyl back in 1978 is seeing cd for the first time. Sure, some of these tracks are tongue in cheek but the guitar work is masterful. With 5 pages of liner notes written by Chris Morris this is one that open minded guitar enthusiasts need to check out. Opening with Limehouse Blues , the guitar aces play a "Nashville Jazz" version of a classic tune. The riffs are both Spanish and gypsy influenced and the track is really quite cool. A very intimate rendition of Over The Rainbow is played by showing a lot of emotion and the pristine style that both players are known for. Meditation , has a distinctive era style but again allowing both players the room to show their own independent styles from country jazz to gypsy jazz. The arrangement on this track is really super. Lazy River , another classic track, is given juxtaposed styling for each playe...

DOVER, NJ – Keith Richards takes to his official Facebook, Twitter and YouTube with an exclusive “Ask Keith” video clip answering the question “What was it like to work with Lou Pallo?” on the new Les Paul tribute album, Thank You Les . “He came up with the most perfect song”, said Richards, referring to his collaboration with Pallo on the Les Paul and Bing Crosby 1941 hit, It’s Been a Long, Long Time .  “He’s known as the Man of a Million Chords and he can find a chord for every different note you’re singing, which fascinates me.” Pallo, who met Les Paul in 1963 and is credited for bringing Paul out of semi-retirement for 30 years of steady Monday night gigs in New York City, recently released the CD/DVD tribute to his friend and mentor with not only Richards and Steve Miller in tow but Slash, José Feliciano, Billy F Gibbons (ZZ Top), Eddie Brigati (The Rascals), Bucky Pizzarelli, Johnny A and other notable artists.  The 21-track luscious analog recor...

I have been listening to Thank You Les, the recent tribute release by Lou Pallo of the Les Paul Trio. This recording features a veritable who's who of special guests including Keith Richards, Steve Miller, Billy Gibbons, Jose Feliciano, Slash, Bucky Pizzarelli, Nokie Edwards, Melinda Doolittle and more. The recording features 21 of favorites by Les Paul done in a somewhat traditional way. Mr. Day/Tell Me What's The Reason, featuring Miller has a distinctive Steve Miller sound done in a light swing jazz styling with a cool guitar interlude is actually quite relaxing. Caravan, an instrumental featuring Nokie Edwards is a cool track and Edwards not only demonstrated his acuity on the fingerboard but also his knowledge of Pauls unique styling. Tennesse Waltz featuring Micki Parrott demonstrates finesse and smooth harmonizing. September Song featuring Billy F. Gibbons is really clean and trick. It doesn't have any ZZ Top overdrive, but beautiful clean guitar runs and electronic...

An All-Star Cast of Musicians Joins Les Paul Trio Guitarist Lou Pallo on Special CD/DVD Tribute to the Guitar Master, Thank You Les Special Guests Include Keith Richards, Steve Miller, Billy F Gibbons, Jose Feliciano, Slash, Bucky Pizzarelli, Nokie Edwards, Melinda Doolittle plus More Notables and Members of the Les Paul Trio DOVER, NJ – An amazing array of all-star musicians join guitarist Lou Pallo in paying tribute to the legendary Les Paul with the September 11 release of a unique CD/DVD titled Thank You Les , produced by Showplace Music Productions in Dover, NJ, and distributed in the U.S. and Canada by the Allegro Corporation. The exciting new release plays as a love letter to the iconic guitar player and recording innovator from these artists who were influenced and inspired by his artistry and innovation. The music covers styles ranging from pop and jazz, to country, rock and blues. The guest artists include guitarists Keith Richards, Billy F Gibbons, S...

Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 – August 13, 2009)—known as Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was the inventor of the solid-body electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible. He is credited with many recording innovations. Although he was not the first to use the technique, his early experiments with overdubbing (also known as sound on sound), delay effects such as tape delay, phasing effects and multitrack recording were among the first to attract widespread attention. His innovative talents extended into his playing style, including licks, trills, chording sequences, fretting techniques and timing, which set him apart from his contemporaries and inspired many guitarists of the present day. He recorded with his wife Mary Ford in the 1950s, and they sold millions of records. Among his many honors, Paul is one of a handful of artists with a permanent, stand-alone exhibit in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is promi...