Nineteen-time Grammy nominee, three-time Grammy winner and all-time guitar great, Larry Carlton established himself from his first recording, A Little Help From My Friends. His studio credits include musicians and groups like Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr., Herb Alpert, Quincy Jones, Bobby Bland, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and literally dozens of others. He went on to perform with the Crusaders and then with the multi platinum jazz super group Fourplay. With 30 albums to his credit and having performed on over 100 albums that have gone Gold or Platinum, Larry Carlton has set a standard for artistry that spans three decades. At the age of 18, Robben Ford was playing with the likes of Charlie Musslewhite, Jimmy Witherspoon, George Harrison, and Joni Mitchell. Ford is a founding member of the group "Yellowjackets," which he stayed with until 1983. After that, Ford began touring with greats such as Miles Davis, Sadao Watanabe, and Little Feet, but then soon realized that his passion was towards his roots of blues. Ford just recently received a Grammy nomination for "Best Contemporary Blues Album."
D**E
Top-shelf jazz/blues/fusion
I bought this record with high hopes, and it does not disappoint. The sound quality is excellent, and the performances are stellar. Jeff Babko is a rock solid professional on keys, demonstrating that he can comp with the best of them. Toss Panos is steady behind the drums, and Travis Carlton (yes, Larry's son) displays chops and taste beyond his years on the bass. But of course, the stars of the show are the two guitarists. As good as Larry is--and he is very good--I think he is outshone by his "special guest" on this record. Robben Ford has it all--technique, sophistication, and tone. His solos are terrific, but I think this record is worth the money just to hear him play rhythm while Larry wails away.if you are a fan of jazz/blues guitar, buy this record. You won't find a better example of the genre.
B**H
Blues Brilliance
Admittedly I am a huge fan of both men and was excited to see this collaboration album. So I am happy to say I am thrilled with the output of this collaboration effort. I am only sorry I wasn't in Tokyo to see it in person. (Guys you're always welcome down here in Melbourne, Oz!!) Excellent musicianship, beautiful licks, great engineering. Great job all round. Being a bass player, the big hit for me was the outstanding playing by the younger of the two Carltons on this recording, Travis. Along with the rest of the band, TJ did a great job and I'll be continuing to watch him with interest. For Larry and Robben, Guys, just keep on doing what you do best. "LOVE IT!"
J**Z
Disappointing
Larry and Robben are two of my favorite guitarists, both having produced many fine works. The material on this recording is a disappointment. While both guys have good chops, they just don't seem to click on this outing. The only memorable number is the last one, Robben's "Talk to Your Daughter" which actually demonstrates how good they could have been if they had selected more upbeat material. Next time maybe.
T**W
The guitar tones are better than anything I can dream of
These guys are "off the charts" on this one; 2 unbelievably accomplished guitarists, playing through 2 different models of the "Holy Grail" of guitar amplifiers.... Dumbles! As a guitarist, to me this CD is a sonic masterpiece.The guitar tones are better than anything I can dream of. It does however, at times make me consider throwing all of my guitars and equipment in the trash. Bastards! However, I think I'll play it again right now.....
C**A
carlton and ford live in tokyo
I just want to say that i agree with Bob Putignano on his review.This is a very good cd.Sure it would be a lot more fun to watch it on dvd, but what live concret wouldn't.As for mr. coronet blue "larry carlton trys to play real fast..." i have no idea what he's talking about.I guess some people have no clue what style is.Just because you don't like a style dosen't mean it's not any good.After all this is Larry Carlton we are talking about.Ask Robben Ford what he thinks of Larry Carlton.All in all a very good cd.Buy it it's worth it.
P**R
One of my Faves..you want first class guitarists make GREAT MUSIC here it is.
O.K....you will go, who are these guys....two of the best guitarists in the world.(must admit Robben was in my high school) Larry Carlton leaves his old albums that made him one of THE go to session guitarists of his time (and many good albums) with a younger guy whom guitar aficionado ME drools over when he just gets that tone only he can pull out...together this is awesome.
S**8
Excellent- Buy It!!
Excellent album and with audiophile recording.
A**R
DEFECTIVE!
VERY FRUSTRATING! ordered this cd,,amazon projected delivery in a month (that never happens). then it shows up in less than a week. great. played immediately,skips horribly. tried cleaning still skips. RETURNED. opted for another copy,,that shows up in a week. wrap around cd box a tad loose,,played it, this one skips as well. (if it isnt the first one just rewrapped) not a conspirancy theorist but, whole thing has me baffled. the amazon experience is always top notch but what are the chances the same cd has the same problem twice.
G**D
Best Guitarists - oh ok - maybe!
At the time of writing I await delivery of this ablum, but for no other reason I rate it 5* because of the track Cold Gold, which I seem to have been listening to for months! The two have recorded this track a few times and there is, in fact, a better version (IMHO) on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yERTIErjTE4 but the poster doesn't say where it was recorded, so that I can track it down further. Maybe the real afficionados can enlighten me.Call me a fool, but I only recently 'found' Larry Carlton and though his early stuff leaves me a little cold I can't doubt his skill. As he has gotten older, his music has become more mature. Robben Ford too was new to me and, again, his early stuff was run of the mill in some respects - but he was skillful. His later more bluesy albums, to me, are far better.Update: The album having now arrived and from the first moments it had me. "That Road" is an upbeat tune that just gets your feet tapping and doesn't get over-indulgent. "Burnable" is slower, a little jazzy with some uummph, allowing players to feed off each other. "Cold Gold" is just a heavenly piece of music. Nuff said. "Rio Samba" is, for me, a throwback to the 70s and to some of the (guitar) jazz sounds I don't particularly like. I moved on. "Derricks Blues" is a classic blues tune lends itself to a cool jazz treatment. "Two Bad" is a song that reminded me of the time when jazz bands started to try to play pop i the latest 'fusion' trend of the time which the record companies thought would make them money. It has one of those wavey organs groanig in the background whilst the keyboard players improvised. On the whole it works. "Talk to Your Daughters" (title track of an album by Robben Ford)is a rock-a-beat song sung by Ford that extends to feature the band members. Little dated, but fun.
G**G
Five Stars
As described
A**G
Larry Carlton & Robben Ford - Live in Tokyo
Also wirklich ein wunderbares und empfehlenswertes Live-Album! Schon die Konstellation mit diesen Ausnahme-Gitarristen läßt den Hörer ja nun etwas erwarten. Sie werden nicht enttäuscht! Wer auf Blues-Rock oder R&B bzw. den reinen Feeling-Blues steht, kommt voll auf seine Kosten! Auch der Gesamtsound ist gut - zumal die Band ganz wunderbar mit der Dynamik umgeht - also sehr unterschiedlich laut und leise spielt.Bei Larry Carlton`s Spielweise fällt besonders auf, das er Töne aus seiner Gitarre herausholt, die man von der E-Gitarre eigentlich so noch überhaupt nicht kennt!Es ist daher eine ebenfalls sensationelle wie auch mal wieder absolute Lehrstunde für alle interessierten Gitarristen . . .Andreas Woltering, Bassist
T**S
Yeah!
Die können's einfach, die beiden, genau wie auch ihre Begleitung!Ein ganz lebendiger Konzertmitschnitt, mit allem, was da so dazugehört, einschließlich ganz weniger winzig kleiner Unsauberkeiten (bitte: das ist auf gar keinen Fall abwertend gemeint, sondern als positives Qualitätsmerkmal gehört für mich so etwas zu einem Konzertmitschnitt einfach dazu - das sind eben Menschen, die da am Werk sind!)!Zusammen mit der "unplugged"-CD der beiden ist dies eine meiner Lieblings-CDs! Nie langweilig, immer unterhaltend, immer spannend zum zuhören, entspannend bei einem Abend mit guten Freunden und einem schönen Rotwein!
P**
Disappointing
Only 7 Tracks on CD & all Instrumental. Have to be in the mood for Instrumental Blues/Rock.
