[Dixielandjazz] Les Paul tribute reviewed

[Robert Ringwald]

Les Paul tribute reviewed

Lou Pallo of Les Paul's Trio with Special Guests: Thank You Les (Showplace)
by Philip Booth
Jazz Times, January-February, 2013
Several generations of guitarists have been inspired by the playing -- and electric
guitar and recording inventions -- of the late Les Paul. He never really retired,
instead spending his golden years playing Monday nights at the Iridium in Manhattan
and extending sit-ins to everyone from rising jazzers to pop superstars.
A roomful of those notables, including godson Steve Miller, pay tribute to the master
on "Thank You Les," the latest from Lou Pallo, longtime guitarist in Paul's trio.
(It arrives on the heels of "A Jazz Salute to Les: Live at the Iridium," another
star-studded homage credited to the Les Paul Trio and Friends.) Miller sings and
swings on "Mr. Day/Tell Me What's the Reason," and offers mellow vocals on "Nature
Boy," which opens up for Pallo's similarly restrained solo.
Other big-name rock 'n' rollers show up, too, with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top dialing
in a reverb-heavy, slightly overdriven tone on "September Song"; Keith Richards trading
gruff vocals with Pallo on a fun and chunky "It's Been a Long, Long Time"; and Slash
(Guns 'N' Roses) injecting scorching licks into Paul's slow-grooving "Deep in the
Blues."
Guitarists closer to Pallo's own sensibility are also onboard, with Frank Vignola
joining for the speedy acoustic-electric swing of "Avalon," the bossa-driven "Brazil"
and an intimate take on "Carioca," and Telecaster master Arlen Roth livening "Mister
Sandman" and "Vaya Con Dios," sung by daughter Lexie Roth. And Bucky Pizzarelli (also
on the "Jazz Salute" CD) stops by for buoyant versions of "I'm Confessin' That I
Love You" and "Just One More Chance." Two unexpected treats: singer-guitarist Jose
Feliciano on "Besame Mucho" and singer Blondie Chaplin's slow, poignant version of
Charlie Chaplin's gorgeous "Smile." Paul would have approved.


-Bob Ringwald
www.ringwald.com
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