Larry Carlton Plays the Sound of Philadelphia alert!

Just prior to its February 15th release, Larry has generously posted the album online. We’re talking FULL tracks, ladies and gentlemen.

Old schoolers like ourselves really appreciate Larry’s treatment of the timeless sound of Gamble and Huff. Despite the fact he’s assembled a superb band and vocals for this recording, it’s all about the guitar. Don’t miss this!

Be sure to root for Larry at this year’s Grammy Awards. He’s nominated in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category with Take Your Pick,recorded with Asia’s premier guitarist Tak Matsumoto.

Regular site visitors are probably wondering why we haven’t posted any Larry Carlton news lately. Shame on us.

Larry’s upcoming album – a tribute to Gamble and Huff’s “The Sound of Philadelphia” – is undergoing finishing touches in order to hit the shelves in October. The work will be released on Larry’s own 335 Records label and will also include a “making of” DVD.

Larry Carlton plays dates in Hawaii this week and will be joined by Michael McDonald for two shows in the Nashville area on October 7th & 8th before he criss-crosses the globe to perform in Hong Kong, Taiwan and selected European cities.

The Kingston Trio has always been cool. For instance, those guys have the most optimistic album title in recording history: “The Kingston Trio – The First 50 Years.” They’ve got their own iPhone app and a Fantasy Camp. They recently dusted off an antique reel-to-reel rehearsal tape “Above the Purple Onion”, gave it a remastering hosedown and plan to send it off in about three weeks. Look for it and more music at the Kingston Trio Store. . . . . . . More Larry luv. Mr. 335 is currently bouncing all over the globe playing a gazillion weeks’ worth of shows at various festivals and venues. The man is an airline frequent-flyer mileage program monster. Thought we saw a stop at the North Pole in his “Round the World in 80 Days Tour” on larrycarlton.com but we could be mistaken . . . . . .

Regular site visitors know Larry Carlton is a card-carrying member in our circle of top second favorite guitarists.

Why is that? 1) go back and listen carefully to your Steely Dan “Royal Scam” album, 2) make every effort to get to a live Larry show and see for yourself how much fun a guy playing guitar can have, and 3) grab his newest album, Take Your Pick, a collaboration with Japan’s premier guitar player Tak Matsumoto. That should answer the question as to why we’re hooked on Mr. 335.

Extra credit: Read more about Larry in the latest Gibson Interview.

Larry Carlton, Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck, Jorma Kaukonen and Albert Lee.

Where: The Iridium
When: May 31 – June 21
Why: because it’s there

www.lespaulfoundation.org