finetune artist: Larry Carlton

b. 2 March 1948, Torrance, California, USA. Often cited as the "guitarist's guitarist", Carlton has courted rock, jazz and acoustic new age with considerable success. The former member of the Crusaders carved a career during the 70s as a sought-after session musician. His profile improved following some outstanding, fluid playing over a number of years with Steely Dan (in particular, his solo on "Kid Charlemagne' from 1976"s The Royal Scam). His distinctive "creamy" Gibson 335 guitar sound was heard on countless records and his work on numerous Joni Mitchell albums probably contributed to their success, with notable examples including Court And Spark and Hejira. His major label debut appeared in 1978. It was not until Sleepwalk, including its title track (formerly a hit for Santo And Johnny), that Carlton was fully accepted as a solo artist in his own right. Alone But Never Alone found Carlton playing acoustic guitar and the record proved a critical and commercial success. Both that album and Discovery broadened Carlton's following. The live Last Nite, however, saw a return to his jazz roots, and contained flashes of breathtaking virtuosity, in particular on his stand-out version of Miles Davis' "So What".

Listen to Larry Carlton at Finetune.

(2008) Sleepwalk
(2008) Larry Carlton
(2007) Rhino Hi-Five: Larry Carlton
(2006) Fire Wire
(2006) The Best Of Larry Carlton 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection
(2005) Deep Into It
(2005) The Very Best Of Larry Carlton
(2004) Sapphire Blue
(2001) Deep Into It
(2000) Fingerprints
(1997) Larry Carlton Collection Volume 2
(1996) The Gift
(1995) Larry & Lee
(1993) Renegade Gentleman
(1992) Kid Gloves
(1991) On Solid Ground
(1990) Collection
(1989) Christmas At My House
(1989) On Solid Ground
(1987) Last Nite
(1987) Discovery
(1986) Alone / But Never Alone
(1978) Larry Carlton

Sunrise
Room 335
Layla
Smiles And Smiles To Go
The B.P. Blues