LARRY
CARLTON
STEVE LUKATHER
"No
Substitutions: Live in Osaka" (Favored Nations; 2001)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
Any guitar player worth his salt knows who Steve Lukather is, and most should know who Larry Carlton is
as well. Carlton may not be as well known as Lukather, but Carlton has played on over
five hundred albums in the 70s and 80s and was best known for his work with Steely Dan.
Carlton released a few solo albums during the 90s and most were met with critical acclaim. Lukather met Carlton
twenty-five years earlier and asked Steve to play on tour with him and the rest is history. Since I value the
incredible talent that Lukather has, I just had to check out Carlton’s
discography and ... you name 'em, he’s played with 'em. Carlton has a jazz and fusion style but he can
also rip like nobody's business.
Sometimes, I shy away from live recordings because -- even though the energy is captured on disc
-- I most often feel left out of the crowd. With "No Substitutions,"
however (if listened to in the right atmosphere), that atmosphere an be recreated.
A little brew, dimmed lights and an uninterrupted evening with the significant other is all the ambiance you'll need. The guitar here is incredible (as you might expect). I used to cringe at the jazz sound but, after asking a few questions about what made it so popular, each answer held the further truth that music does more talking than a vocalist ever could. I’m starting to appreciate a different direction in the jazz/fusion folder these days. There are a few times during the disc that were a little too light for me but it was all entertaining anyway.
Performing on "No Substitutions" are: Larry Carlton – guitar
(left side); Steve Lukather – guitar (right side); Gregg Bissonette – drums; Chris Kent – bass; Rick Jackson – keyboards.
For more information, check out http://www.larrycarlton.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2007 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 15 Apr 2024 15:20:25 -0400.
