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| LES PAUL 7 GRAMMYS AND 91 YEARS BY RICHARD LIVSEY |
NEW YORK CITY- Les Paul turned
91years old this past June, and if you
don't know who he is, keep reading
because it’s a name you should know.
But if you play the guitar,and you
don't know who he is, then shame on
you.
Not only is Paul one of the most
innovative jazz guitarist of all-time, but
he is the guy that pioneered multi-
track recording and introduced to the
world that sweet sounding solid body
guitar, the Gibson Les Paul. A model
that can be said to be the only true
rival of the Fender Stratocaster.
In the rock ‘n’ roll world there are a
host of loyal players that choose to
play the Gibson Les Paul: Neil
Young, Ace Frehley, Slash, Pete
Townshend, Zakk Wylde, Joe
Perry, the Edge among others.
Paul’s guitars are built to last, and it is
quite obvious by the way that he still
commands the fretboard, that so is
he. Not only does he exhibit the skill
and dexterity of an accomplished
musician half his age, but at 91 years
old his mind is as sharp as the tip of a
high E string.
Throughout his set, Paul moves from
intricate chords to improvised jazz
runs with ease. Watching him play, it
is apparent that there is a definite
connection between the music that he
plays and his celebrated longevity.
The band that backs up Paul consists
of Lou Pallo on guitar, Nicki Parrott on
the upright bass and John Colianni at
the piano. Les Paul and his Trio gives
a solid performance, one that would
have any musicians in the audience
nodding their head with approval.
It’s important to mention that not only
does Paul play the guitar, but he is
also a classic entertainer as well. He
cracks jokes throughout his entire set,
and sometimes his humor is directed
at his talented and beautiful bass
player, Nicki Parrott.
At one point during the show, after
she did a solo performance of her
song Big Instruments, Paul glanced at
Nicki and said, “I feel like a
condemned building with a new flag
pole on it.”
And here’s a little something that I bet
you didn’t know about Les Paul. Last
year, he did something different, he
recorded his first rock album with a
host of famous friends. The record is
titled, Les Paul & Friends: American
Made - World Played.
91years old this past June, and if you
don't know who he is, keep reading
because it’s a name you should know.
But if you play the guitar,and you
don't know who he is, then shame on
you.
Not only is Paul one of the most
innovative jazz guitarist of all-time, but
he is the guy that pioneered multi-
track recording and introduced to the
world that sweet sounding solid body
guitar, the Gibson Les Paul. A model
that can be said to be the only true
rival of the Fender Stratocaster.
In the rock ‘n’ roll world there are a
host of loyal players that choose to
play the Gibson Les Paul: Neil
Young, Ace Frehley, Slash, Pete
Townshend, Zakk Wylde, Joe
Perry, the Edge among others.
Paul’s guitars are built to last, and it is
quite obvious by the way that he still
commands the fretboard, that so is
he. Not only does he exhibit the skill
and dexterity of an accomplished
musician half his age, but at 91 years
old his mind is as sharp as the tip of a
high E string.
Throughout his set, Paul moves from
intricate chords to improvised jazz
runs with ease. Watching him play, it
is apparent that there is a definite
connection between the music that he
plays and his celebrated longevity.
The band that backs up Paul consists
of Lou Pallo on guitar, Nicki Parrott on
the upright bass and John Colianni at
the piano. Les Paul and his Trio gives
a solid performance, one that would
have any musicians in the audience
nodding their head with approval.
It’s important to mention that not only
does Paul play the guitar, but he is
also a classic entertainer as well. He
cracks jokes throughout his entire set,
and sometimes his humor is directed
at his talented and beautiful bass
player, Nicki Parrott.
At one point during the show, after
she did a solo performance of her
song Big Instruments, Paul glanced at
Nicki and said, “I feel like a
condemned building with a new flag
pole on it.”
And here’s a little something that I bet
you didn’t know about Les Paul. Last
year, he did something different, he
recorded his first rock album with a
host of famous friends. The record is
titled, Les Paul & Friends: American
Made - World Played.
| Lou Pallo, Nicki Parrott, Lucy Noland, Les Paul and John Colianni during the award presentation at the Irdium Jazz Club. Photo by Gene Martin |
The album features Sting, Eric Clapton, Keith
Richards, Buddy Guy, Joe Perry, Billy Gibbons, Jeff
Beck, Ritchie Sambora, Steve Miller, Peter Frampton
among others, and it won Paul two Grammys for Best
Pop Instrumental Performance for the song, Caravan
and Best Rock Instrumental Performance for the song
69 Freedom Special 2005.
That gives Paul a total of seven Grammys. I would
be willing to bet some good money that none of the
other artists that won Grammys in 2005 will be
bringing home any awards in their 90's. Any takers?
Unfortunately, Paul did not make it to the ceremony
because he was in the hospital with double
pneumonia, so his awards were presented to him at
his birthday celebration at the Iridium Jazz Club in
New York on June 12th.
The lovely and gorgeous, Fox 5 NY News Anchor
Lucy Noland presented the awards to Paul. And not to
miss a chance to get a laugh, while posing for pictures
with his Grammys. Paul stuck up his middle finger and
said, “Here’s one for the drivers in New Jersey.”
Not only is Paul good humored, but he is also very
generous with his stage. A host of talented musicians
and entertainers were able to join him for a couple of
songs. From a talented tap dancer, Andrew Nemr to a
unique percussionist Badal Roy on the Indian drums
to an impressive electric violinist Christian Howes,
they were all welcome to showcase their talents, but
the absolute standout of his special guests, was an
amazing jazz guitarist from Sweden named Andreas
Oberg.
Think Yngwie Malmsteen, but instead of sweeping
arpeggios and neo-classical licks, Oberg rips the
freteboard up with an array of soulful and energetic
jazz solos. Even Paul was in awe of Oberg’s
performance, “That will learn you,” he said with a
smile.
I caught up with Paul backstage, and was able to
speak with him briefly about still performing at 91
years old. “It feels good to play.”
When asked about the future of guitar and whether or
not he had any more innovative ideas to offer, he said:
“I got all kind of things.”
Being a guitarist myself, I was curious now, so I asked
him to let me in on some of his secrets. He told me
that his new projects were coming along great, but he
said, “I’d rather not divulge any of that. I’ll give it to the
Gibson people.”
Talk about loyalty. Alright then, how about the guitar in
general? “It’s a proven item,” Paul said. “It’s the
number one instrument in the world.”
I couldn’t agree with him more, the guitar is as cool as
it ever was, and we can all thank Paul for helping
shape the industry that has held the electric guitar
aloft for all these years.
Les Paul and his Trio are at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City
every Monday night. For tickets and showtimes - click here
Richards, Buddy Guy, Joe Perry, Billy Gibbons, Jeff
Beck, Ritchie Sambora, Steve Miller, Peter Frampton
among others, and it won Paul two Grammys for Best
Pop Instrumental Performance for the song, Caravan
and Best Rock Instrumental Performance for the song
69 Freedom Special 2005.
That gives Paul a total of seven Grammys. I would
be willing to bet some good money that none of the
other artists that won Grammys in 2005 will be
bringing home any awards in their 90's. Any takers?
Unfortunately, Paul did not make it to the ceremony
because he was in the hospital with double
pneumonia, so his awards were presented to him at
his birthday celebration at the Iridium Jazz Club in
New York on June 12th.
The lovely and gorgeous, Fox 5 NY News Anchor
Lucy Noland presented the awards to Paul. And not to
miss a chance to get a laugh, while posing for pictures
with his Grammys. Paul stuck up his middle finger and
said, “Here’s one for the drivers in New Jersey.”
Not only is Paul good humored, but he is also very
generous with his stage. A host of talented musicians
and entertainers were able to join him for a couple of
songs. From a talented tap dancer, Andrew Nemr to a
unique percussionist Badal Roy on the Indian drums
to an impressive electric violinist Christian Howes,
they were all welcome to showcase their talents, but
the absolute standout of his special guests, was an
amazing jazz guitarist from Sweden named Andreas
Oberg.
Think Yngwie Malmsteen, but instead of sweeping
arpeggios and neo-classical licks, Oberg rips the
freteboard up with an array of soulful and energetic
jazz solos. Even Paul was in awe of Oberg’s
performance, “That will learn you,” he said with a
smile.
I caught up with Paul backstage, and was able to
speak with him briefly about still performing at 91
years old. “It feels good to play.”
When asked about the future of guitar and whether or
not he had any more innovative ideas to offer, he said:
“I got all kind of things.”
Being a guitarist myself, I was curious now, so I asked
him to let me in on some of his secrets. He told me
that his new projects were coming along great, but he
said, “I’d rather not divulge any of that. I’ll give it to the
Gibson people.”
Talk about loyalty. Alright then, how about the guitar in
general? “It’s a proven item,” Paul said. “It’s the
number one instrument in the world.”
I couldn’t agree with him more, the guitar is as cool as
it ever was, and we can all thank Paul for helping
shape the industry that has held the electric guitar
aloft for all these years.
Les Paul and his Trio are at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City
every Monday night. For tickets and showtimes - click here
| Richard Livsey and Les Paul backstage at the Iridium Jazz Club. |