Track Listing

1. Pump
2. Don't Give It Up
3. (It Was) Only Yesterday
4. All Blues
5. Room 335

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #104875 in Music
• Released on: 2001-03-20
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com
Like 1990s guitar wonder-bands such as Los Lobotomys, Karizma, and L.A. Guitar Workshop, this live club recording from two session-masters is a lesson in controlled thuggery. Carlton has played some of the greatest electric solos ever, gunslinging for everyone from Joni Mitchell and The Crusaders to Steely Dan ("Kid Charlemagne") and LA Express. Ex-Toto axe-king Lukather made his name stoking the mega-rock flames, but has also plied his pick to recordings by Patti Austin, Herb Alpert, Chet Atkins, and America.

That fusion has fallen on hard times doesn't deter these two from giving their all in five numbers that display equal moments of bombast, artistry, and occasionally, brilliance. With drummer Greg Bissonette, bassist Chris Kent, and keyboardist Rick Jackson, the band kicks off with the testosterone-addled thump of "The Pump," which initially recalls some escapees from Def Leppard until they settle into a mellow, grand groove and a web of coiled solos. Lukather is more at home in this kind of shredding setting, but that gives Carlton plenty of space to do the lyrical, sensitive-guy thing, while both spin walls of heavy sound on the bruising shuffle, "Don't Give It Up." A reggae-ized "All Blues" sounds a bit street-worn, but then Carlton enters in an understated Jim Hall tone that transforms the song until a schizophrenic speed demon takes over and momentarily kills the intimate vibe. Though No Substitutions will be mostly be gobbled up by guitarists and latent fusion heads, it could also add fire to any listener desiring rocking music to play with the windows rolled down. --Ken Micallef

Customer Reviews

guitar gods!
This meeting of two of the best guitarists in existence is amazing. I'd rather listen to this recording than the G3 Live CD. Lukather and Carlton have such a great time jamming with each other, it really comes out in the music. This is a really fun CD (and a great guitar lesson!). Check out Los Lobotomys' self-titled CD (with Lukather) if you can find it; more great fusion there.

Please don't substitute them!
The curricula of the two guitarists speak for themselves. Just to remember: Toto, Crusaders, Steely Dan, Donald Fagen, Roger Waters, Karizma, Los Lobotomys, Fourplay. What could have they done together? Music, just music... but what a kind of music! This is the first time I hear so much power, feeling and technique joined together in a record that has became my favourite after the first notes i heard! If Jeff Porcaro was still alive he surely had been the drummer on this record, but he surely was on stage with them, blessing their chords!

Musicianship At Its Finest!
WOW! This CD is amazing! One can only wish they were present at the concert to hear the entire thing and get the incredible talent of Larry Carlton and Steve Lukather right in front of you! This has to be one of the best live albums I've ever heard. Luke and Larry have an incredible connection through their music here, each playing beautifully off each other, forming one incredible jam session, 2 distinct styles. From the opening notes of "The Pump" to the closing notes of "Room 335" Luke and Larry take the listener on a roller coaster of musical bliss that leaves you with goosebumps on your arms and the bitter taste of disappointment in your mouth that there isn't more! Any Larry Carlton or Steve Lukather/TOTO fans will LOVE this album. This is not one to miss out on! BUY IT NOW. (On a side note, I keep reading "Lukather - formerlly of Toto." Toto is still rockin strong.)