Les Paul and Friends
A Tribute to a Legend

Campus Correspondent CD Review By Jim Simmons
Arizona State University

As Les Paul enters the 93rd year of his life, there’s probably no greater way to celebrate his legacy than the homage paying album, A Tribute To A Legend (Immergent Records). Certainly music would not be what it is today and rock n’ roll would be mere skipping stones, if it were not for Les Paul. The guitar slinger is commonly known as Gibson’s backbone, the most popular electric guitar endorsed by countless artists striving for perfection found in “that warm Les Paul sound.” But aside from gracing the headstock of Gibson’s iconic guitar, his name is credited for the very invention of the solid body electric guitar, as well as multi track recording and a wide variety of sound effects, including reverb and delay.

However, the album features a rather peculiar lineup of songs that don’t necessarily have anything to do with Les Paul- like the strange offering from Johnny Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls covering U2’s “All I Want Is You.” Nonetheless, the album is quite enjoyable to listen to and features many great performances, including string bending blues shreds from Joe Bonamassa on “The Good Luck You’re Having,” as well as the fluid smooth guitar work of Slash on instrumental “Vocalise.” Other stars on the roster like producer Bob Cuterella, as well as Richie Sambora, Joan Osborne, Joe Perry, Edgar Winter, Mick Hucknall and Peter Frampton, certainly don’t hurt. But the most sound performance can be noted on “69 Freedom Special” featuring Les Paul himself, which is so strong it could very well be several more generation before another one like him emerges.