From the Vault...

11/26/2017
#1596

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Les Paul & Friends
"American Made World Played"


© Capitol Records

Year of Release: 2005
Rating:

track listing
  • Intro
    Les Paul
  • Love Sneakin' Up On You
    Les Paul &
    Sting & Joss
  • Rock And Roll
    Hoochie Koo
    Les Paul &
    Kenny Way
  • Somebody Ease My
    Troublin' Mind
    Les Paul &
    Sam
  • So Into You
    Les Paul &
    Peter Frampton
  • How High The Moon
    Les Paul &Alsou
  • Bad Case Of Lovin' You
    Les Paul &
    Billy Gibbons
  • I Wanna Know You
    Les Paul &
    Neal Schon &
    Beth Hart
  • (Ain't That) Good News
    Les Paul &
    Sam Cooke &
    Jeff Beck
  • Let Me Roll It
    Les Paul &
    Richie Sambora
  • Caravan
    Les Paul
  • Good Morning
    Little Schoolgirl
    Les Paul &
    Buddy Guy
  • All I Want Is You
    Les Paul &
    Johnny Rzeznik
  • 69 Freedom Special
    Les Paul & Friends
  • Fly Like An Eagle (2005)
    Les Paul &
    Steve Miller
  • I Love You More Than
    You'll Ever Know
    Les Paul &
    Joe Perry &
    Mick Hucknall &
    Kenny Olsen

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    Les Paul & Friends related sites:
    Les Paul & Friends Website
    Wikipedia
    Previous Review: #1595
    Various Artists--Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits Of The '80s Volume 2
    Next Review: #1597
    Fletcher Harrington & Topeka--Land Rush
    Les Paul & Friends
    "American Made World Played"



    "It has to be said, we must all own up that without Les Paul, generations of flash little punks like us would be in jail or cleaning toilets. This man, by his genius, made the road that we still travel today and, Les -- you're so modest! He put the tools in our hands and was married to Mary Ford. How bad is that! I don't know how he did it. But, I'm so thankful that he did."
    Keith Richards



    Les Paul defined the guitar, he defined music in his own honor. If it wasn't for Les Paul, we wouldn't be enjoying and collecting the great guitarist of today.


    Les Paul & Friends: American Made World Played was released in 2005, and it would be his last album released. Les Paul passed away on August 12, 2009, at the age of 94. To his last day, he remained active in music. For American Made World Played, he would get a little help from his friends. Such as: Sting & Joss Stone, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Edgar Winter & Noah Hunt, Sam Cooke & Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Alsou, Billy Gibbons, Neal Schon & Beth Hart, Sam Cooke & Jeff Beck, Richie Sambora, Buddy Guy, Keith Richards & Rick Derringer, Johnny Rzeznik, Steve Miller, Joe Perry, Mick Hucknall & Kenny Olsen. What a lineup. (Sam Cooke passed away of course, yet with today's technolgy, a voice from the past can easily be included on today's recordings. Perfect example was Natalie Cole and her father, Nat King Cole, on her Unforgettable albums.)


    The album leads off with a little snippet intro, which was taken from one of Les Paul's radio shows, from 1949.


    "Love Sneakin' Up On You" begins the "Les Paul Setlist" with Sting & Joss Stone. We all remember Sting from his famous band The Police, likewise his solo recordings. But, if you've never heard of Joss Stone, she is well worth it. Her strong and soulful voice will form many new fans, and existing fans who have already heard of her.


    The classic "Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo" was made famous by Rick Derringer. Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Edgar Winter & Noah Hunt help out, as the acoustic guitar stands out greatly on this version.


    Taking the vocals of the late Sam Cooke into today's technology, he, along with Eric Clapton and Les Paul develop the good blues on "Somebody Ease My Troublin' Mind" which was recorded by Sam Cooke in 1965.


    The Atlanta Rhythm Section's "So Into You" gets remade by Les Paul with help from Peter Frampton. Just as cool as the original.


    Alsou is a Russian singer, as she helps with the vocal on "How High The Moon," which was made famous by Les Paul and his wife, Mary Ford. This particular version is far different than it's original, having a more R&B'/Hip-Hop feel. This track would probably be the least favorite, comparing to the others; being more blues, rock and classic rock.


    The late Robert Palmer made "Bad Case Of Lovin' You" famous, as ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons gives this version a ZZ Top feel, with his great, rough vocals.


    For the traditional Blues fan, there's "I Wanna Know You," featuring Journey's Neal Schon and blues artist Beth Hart.


    Another Sam Cooke original was "(Ain't That) Good News", along with Sam is Jeff Beck, as it displays some good pickin' guitar.


    Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora helps out on the Paul McCartney & Wings song, "Let Me Roll It." This was more of a deep cut originally by Paul, as Les & Richie's version is just as good as Sir Paul's.


    Les Paul shines on his own on the instrumental "Caravan," with its wah-wah styled guitar.


    "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" was recorded by many, such as The Yardbirds, the Grateful Dead, Ten Years After, and Muddy Waters. Les gets help on this one, with Buddy Guy, Keith Richards & Rick Derringer. A good rock version, just like all of its predecessors.


    The Goo Goo Dolls' Johnny Rzeznik helps out on "All I Want Is You," originally recorded by U2. While listening to Rzeznik's vocals, I couldn't help thinking that it sounded just a little, like Jackson Browne.


    Another instrumental, as it's credited as "Les Paul & Friends" is 69 Freedom Special. Another great rock instrumental.


    Steve Miller, who originally recorded the classic "Fly Like An Eagle" helps out, as Les & Steve work together on a 2005 version. However, their version is faster than the original, but still, it does well, being the great classic rock that it is.


    "I Love You More Than You Ever Know" (originally by Donny Hathaway) truly sounds great, having an Al Kooper/Mike Bloomfield blues sound. Aerosmith's Joe Perry, Simply Red's Mick Hucknall, and Kenny Olsen present a great blues rock version here.


    Les Paul & Friends' American Made World Played is definitely a great album, of a great guitarist with help from great musicians. Les Paul's influence on the guitar and his music helped many future guitar players become part of music history. Les Paul's history was a force to reckon with. He continued playing and recording up until his death. In 2008, a tribute album was released. He had recorded as early as 1945 as a session guitarist. His recordings with his wife Mary Ford were the best known, however his help on session recordings was endless. Likewise his guitar style was heard on the recordings with Mary Ford.


    Long live Les Paul -- his music and guitar style has been enjoyed by many, and will influence many future guitarists to come.


    © WSVNRadio.net. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Capitol Records and is used for reference purposes only.


    Previous Review: #1595
    Various Artists--Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits Of The '80s Volume 2
    Next Review: #1597
    Fletcher Harrington & Topeka--Land Rush