Les and Tommy talk about different guitar players and Tommy plays a song with Les and also Tommy plays his rendition of "Over the Rainbow " for Les Iridium 1/12/09 Lespaul.org
Tommy Emmanuel is the only guy I can think of who can single handedly entertain, captivate and mesmerise you like no other. The sheer charisma and personality of the man coupled with his virtuosity is what makes him so unique. We are so blessed and fortunate to be living with him in this age.
When you have this talented, drop dead gorgeous bass player behind you shaking her head as Les Paul is looking at you in awe, you know you’re in good company! What a delight to hear this individual for the first time. Wow!!!!
... why then, oh why... do I get a lump in my throat every time I here Tommy's arrangement of "Over the Rainbow". It has got to be the most beautiful solo instrumental of this tune ever played.
I have watched quite a few of Tommy's perfomances on video . This one though shows the love that Tommy is giving Les here . Its simply his finest playing I have ever heard !
Yep, and T. is more than just one of the best guitar players to walk the planet... he's a real, natural *comedian* too! He has perfect comedic timing, which his audiences adore.
"Tommy Emmanuel" is what you get when 1) you come from a musical family, 2) you're a gifted child prodigy, 3) your _mother_ plays, and can help you learn, 4) your parents give you nothing but heartfelt encouragement, 6) your brother plays as well as you do, creating sibling rivalry, 7) you're performing for a living, from a very young age, 8) as a teen, you're continually in touch with Chet Atkins by letter - Big Dreams make you practice!, 9) God gives you huge hands, 10) you don't fall prey to drugs or booze, 11) _nothing_ is more fun to you than playing an acoustic guitar - *practicing* for hours, even into your elder years, and 12) you're humble and a gentleman.
You are absolutely correct. I only discovered him a few years ago on a TED show. What a marvelous person and performer. He told the story about writing Chet as a boy and getting a reply. Bravo to Chet and look what he helped birth. A truly great guitar player.
He did actually get stuck on the drugs bandwagon, but he met an old woman who managed to turn him to Christianity and cleanse him of his drug addiction. And ever since them he’s been drug and alcohol free :)
What a gem Tommy Emmanuel is. I've seen people display superhuman performances on an electric guitar, but rarely do i see superhuman guitar work performed on "ACOUSTIC" the way Tommy Emmanuel does. God put magic on him, no doubt!
Tommy has such genuine love and difference for Les, the room was jocular and celebratory but when Tommy began to play there was an immediate silence of admiration for the song and rendition.
I took my son to see Tommy this summer (his first concert). Front row (elbos on the stage), meet and greet and a memory that we will always have. Class and the benchmark for 99.9% of others to only hope to follow. Pure Amazement.
Getting that kind of reaction of pure delight and amazement out of Les Paul @ 12:34 must have just made Tommy's career. And he deserves ever bit of it. I can't even imagine.
This is the best of all of these videos of Les sharing the stage with another guitarist. This one feels like two equals, though I thought Tommy was a bit nervous in a couple bits of his playing. This made my day, and thanks for that.
Super homage to Chet Atkins & Merle Travis from Les & Tommy both! And Wes Montgomery & Judy Garland & so many others he worked & jammed with in his life.... Belated, but R.I.P., Les Paul!
I saw and heard Tommy in Omaha a couple years back at The Holland Performing Arts Center, a room so nice for musicians and music lovers even Tommy commented on the acoustics. I wish everybody could have heard it.
Bernard Litwin ------ Tommy is not only insanely good........he plays really really pretty MUSIC......not just notes......notice no one is couching or talking while he plays......it's just too beautiful to interrupt
Got to meet him backstage at a show and played him a few bars of a fingerstyle tune...he was awesome very very appreciative of his fans. Made my life actually
I can pretty much guarantee; from the cleaners to the bar staff, from the patrons to the musicians: Everyone in that club stopped what they were dong, closed their eyes. And went into a special dream all their own, listening to this!
...i would trade 30 years of everything i have learned on guitar and musicianship in general....to have 5% of Tommy Emmanuel's natural musical gift and knowledge.... only guy that I would sell my soul to be like ........ damn
seeing how Tommy had Les and the band mesmerized in the groove he setup and their reaction at the end , like they just came out of a dream is high praise indeed
WHAT A TREAT!!!!! Les Paul is an absolute darling. Loved his stories. AND to hear him honouring our Tommy - SENSATIONAL. Thank you so much for sharing.
The stage banter is priceless... ...and Tommy's musical offering of "Over the Rainbow" to Lester is Sacramental. What a Blessing to guitarists, and music-lovers, and lovers of this tune, it is to get to see this.
when I watch Tommy I'm not sure whether to pick up my guitar and practice or just take it out and run it over with a truck...he is above and beyond ANY musician I have ever listened to.
Wow! For those of you just popping through, there is a beautiful version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow at about the 8min mark in the video. Truly a great performance. If you like the guitar at all you will like this. It fun to listen to the OG guys talk about "back in the day" but really, check out this musically elegant and emotional performance. Thank you for posting it!
No, Les did not invent the electric guitar. He did many innovations and did design solid body guitars. His big contribution to the recording industry was developing over dub and multi track recording. He was always a great guitarist.
not too sure if just thousands of hours of hard work could even get you close to what Tommy did right there and then. WOW!! So much SOUL! Kudos! I think Les Paul would have loved to jam together had he been in better condition. ;) for the love of guitar, the passion for music!
Great site. I have a Les Paul Custom, wine-colored with gold hardware... that Les signed. Then Jim Marshall signed it (there the same night). Later I was able to get BB King to sign it. Finally I took it to a Gibson repair facility in Nashville and have them prep the guitar and then lacquer the signatures in so they can't come off. I also have a lot of Les' music and am fairly well aware of his history and accomplishments. But... most of all... I'm glad I was able to see him both at the old Iridium and the new Iridium. I only wish I had been able to catch him more often than I did.
Tommy Emmanuel is the only guy I can think of who can single handedly entertain, captivate and mesmerise you like no other. The sheer charisma and personality of the man coupled with his virtuosity is what makes him so unique. We are so blessed and fortunate to be living with him in this age.
Check out Troubleclef also. Same mezmerazation.
Maybe the best virtuoso guitarist alive; a true genius. He never ceases to amaze, and I've been playing for over 50 years...
I just recently discovered these Les Paul videos and the first thing I noticed watching this one is how much respect Les extends to Tommy.
When you have this talented, drop dead gorgeous bass player behind you shaking her head as Les Paul is looking at you in awe, you know you’re in good company! What a delight to hear this individual for the first time. Wow!!!!
... why then, oh why... do I get a lump in my throat every time I here Tommy's arrangement of "Over the Rainbow". It has got to be the most beautiful solo instrumental of this tune ever played.
me too for some reason....
You're not alone feeling that way ...
i just cried....
I agree
Dear god in heaven that was the most exquisite rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow Tommy has ever done. Les made him better just by being there.
capital G
I think your right , it happens
oh ya , its GOD
I have watched quite a few of Tommy's perfomances on video . This one though shows the love that Tommy is giving Les here . Its simply his finest playing I have ever heard !
#Fact That made me cry
Tommy is a total gentleman... kind... intelligent... incomparable artist
So was Les.
Yep, and T. is more than just one of the best guitar players to walk the planet... he's a real, natural *comedian* too! He has perfect comedic timing, which his audiences adore.
Gregory Fischer 👍👍👍
"Tommy Emmanuel" is what you get when 1) you come from a musical family, 2) you're a gifted child prodigy, 3) your _mother_ plays, and can help you learn, 4) your parents give you nothing but heartfelt encouragement, 6) your brother plays as well as you do, creating sibling rivalry, 7) you're performing for a living, from a very young age, 8) as a teen, you're continually in touch with Chet Atkins by letter - Big Dreams make you practice!, 9) God gives you huge hands, 10) you don't fall prey to drugs or booze, 11) _nothing_ is more fun to you than playing an acoustic guitar - *practicing* for hours, even into your elder years, and 12) you're humble and a gentleman.
You said it all!
Béla Scialoja You skipped 5)
You are absolutely correct. I only discovered him a few years ago on a TED show. What a marvelous person and performer. He told the story about writing Chet as a boy and getting a reply. Bravo to Chet and look what he helped birth. A truly great guitar player.
All that is nothing .. it's only the gift of God.. only..
He did actually get stuck on the drugs bandwagon, but he met an old woman who managed to turn him to Christianity and cleanse him of his drug addiction. And ever since them he’s been drug and alcohol free :)
What a gem Tommy Emmanuel is. I've seen people display superhuman performances on an electric guitar, but rarely do i see superhuman guitar work performed on "ACOUSTIC" the way Tommy Emmanuel does. God put magic on him, no doubt!
The mutual respect there is just so beautiful.
Indeed, and Les would die later that year. RIP Les.
how can someone so perfect at what he does be so humble?
Tommy has such genuine love and difference for Les, the room was jocular and celebratory but when Tommy began to play there was an immediate silence of admiration for the song and rendition.
Very well said.
Left her in TEARS! My God. What a rendition.
I took my son to see Tommy this summer (his first concert). Front row (elbos on the stage), meet and greet and a memory that we will always have. Class and the benchmark for 99.9% of others to only hope to follow. Pure Amazement.
Tommy is one amazing artist..great sport as well. Was cool Les just sitting there with his mind completely blown by that performance.
Only Tommy can leave Les Paul speechless.
Great chat. Tommy's playing makes me wanna cry he is so darn good and plays with such heart.
It is no easy task to blow the socks off Les Paul.... I believe Tommy came as close as anyone else right there.... absolutely beautiful.
wow, layin' tribute at the legend's feet, I can't imagine the honor...
Tommy worked hard and gave his best to Les Paul,and that love is deep.
Yes.. and such a beautiful tribute it is!
I'm crying...
I hear Tommy play and I just want to cry.. the guy is a phenom..
th-cam.com/video/Jd009xnTHQ0/w-d-xo.html
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The joy Les had there was so fun to see..
Tommy is a prodigy. Les Paul must be so proud
To know because of him
We have great guitar players who really know their instruments.
Getting that kind of reaction of pure delight and amazement out of Les Paul @ 12:34 must have just made Tommy's career. And he deserves ever bit of it. I can't even imagine.
Once Les got a few good stories out Tommy played an historical live performance there.That could have been cut straight to disc. One take, flawless.
Always severe depth in Tommy Emmanuel's playing. Such a delight to hear and watch.
Thanks man. Very interesting site to follow!
This is the best of all of these videos of Les sharing the stage with another guitarist. This one feels like two equals, though I thought Tommy was a bit nervous in a couple bits of his playing. This made my day, and thanks for that.
Super homage to Chet Atkins & Merle Travis from Les & Tommy both!
And Wes Montgomery & Judy Garland & so many others he worked & jammed with in his life....
Belated, but R.I.P., Les Paul!
Wow. Perhaps the last video taken of Les on stage - he died later that year at age 94. Amazing.
Thank God, literally, that this fabulous, historic meeting of two greats, occurred before Les passed.
Words cannot describe. Unbelievable.
I saw and heard Tommy in Omaha a couple years back at The Holland Performing Arts Center, a room so nice for musicians and music lovers even Tommy commented on the acoustics. I wish everybody could have heard it.
He's so good it's ridiculous.
It is ridiculous....I could practice 24/7 for 30 yrs and not get close .......a true talent for arrangements too.
Bernard Litwin ------ Tommy is not only insanely good........he plays really really pretty MUSIC......not just notes......notice no one is couching or talking while he plays......it's just too beautiful to interrupt
Got to meet him backstage at a show and played him a few bars of a fingerstyle tune...he was awesome very very appreciative of his fans. Made my life actually
tommy playing Somewhere Over the Rainbow: that's about as beautiful as a guitar can sound.
Ges X yes ... lespaul.org
th-cam.com/video/Jd009xnTHQ0/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/channels/5ENzBQbIGxHdjP-N1ZQgMA.html
th-cam.com/video/HXcU5F7-UrU/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/of_wWVQF9p8/w-d-xo.html
So great! Astounding playing of "Over The Rainbow" by Tommy Emmanuel. And... such a fun conversation!
What a gift. One of my fav songs to play on harmonica...that is exactly how i picture it when i play. thank you.
I can pretty much guarantee; from the cleaners to the bar staff, from the patrons to the musicians: Everyone in that club stopped what they were dong, closed their eyes.
And went into a special dream all their own, listening to this!
when i'm lost for words you know that something extraordinary just happened.
...i would trade 30 years of everything i have learned on guitar and musicianship in general....to have 5% of Tommy Emmanuel's natural musical gift and knowledge.... only guy that I would sell my soul to be like ........ damn
seeing how Tommy had Les and the band mesmerized in the groove he setup and their reaction at the end , like they just came out of a dream is high praise indeed
The girl on the bass was loving this,awesome ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
She had to wipe her eyes...
That's Nicki Parrott, great bass player and very fine singer - check out her stuff on TH-cam
I didn't notice her! LOL!
tears rolling down my face Over the Rainbow beautifully done...
Thank you Chris for sharing such great videos! Tommy Emmanuel's take on Over the rainbow is the best I have ever heard/seen! beautiful!
Thank you for that Chris.
Genius doesn't begin to describe Les or Tommy. Gifted? Savant..., more likely. So enjoyed that..., thanks again.
Raw emotion in Tommy s playing....beautiful..timing gorgeous..👍👍
Tommy E ,,,,God given talent,,,and a good guy to boot,,,,,
Only Les Paul could simply namedrop around a dozen (other) country and jazz legends in passing when telling some little personal anecdote.
My god that's superb playing from Tommy there!!!
Watch this awesome video every day ❤️👍
WHAT A TREAT!!!!! Les Paul is an absolute darling. Loved his stories. AND to hear him honouring our Tommy - SENSATIONAL. Thank you so much for sharing.
When I heard him play his song Ruby's Eyes I was hooked.
such a treasure in these tough times. Thanks Les.
The stage banter is priceless...
...and Tommy's musical offering of "Over the Rainbow" to Lester is Sacramental.
What a Blessing to guitarists, and music-lovers, and lovers of this tune, it is to get to see this.
It was a heart felt love offering to Les for sure!
legendary guitar playing and guitar stories, what can be better than this?
This gets me every time, thanks for posting! Two of the best ever!
watching these two great guitarist together is truly a gift
I just love Tommy. He didn't want to joke around that much because he's so focused on what he's about to play.
I saw Tommy play this live in Cambridge, England, a few years ago. He is a stunning player.
Tommy playing "Somewhere..", right there, is so sublime, I was bawling my eyes out! Why?
when I watch Tommy I'm not sure whether to pick up my guitar and practice or just take it out and run it over with a truck...he is above and beyond ANY musician I have ever listened to.
Keith Benedict lespaul.org
Keith Benedict just threw mine in the river
Keith Benedict -just smile and enjoy. Then in a couple of days you can play your guitar, but don’t listen to Tommy first.ok?
Certified guitar player!
Keith check out Naudo Rodrigues videos. Imo Tommys best overall but believe Naudo is best fingerstylist ever.
I don't think I've ever enjoyed watching a video as much. I could go on watching them chatting for ever.
Thank you Chris.
Love Tommy! Not only an amazing musician; a great entertainer with a great sense of humor and a huge heart.
How I wish I'd been there! Amazing!
Tommy you have a lot of class sir👍🏻
Stunning performance by Tommy Emmanuel. Thanks so much for uploading these vids.
Tom Gillitt lespaul.org
Great to have this moment recorded for us!!
I've been to a guitar camp with Tommy teaching. I love this man. A true gentleman. Amazing experience I had and many students.
I always cry watching these.😭
When Les Paul sits quietly and listens to you play a song like he did here then you're really fucking doing something special
Greatest guitarist ever. Paganini would be amazed just like Les Paul at this guy's talent.
Charles Duckett Jr. Lespaul.org
Amazing performance for a legend, fit for a king!
wowow I got a little teary....my mom loves Over the Rainbow because she is reminded of her mom
this inspired me to add this and "world of imagination" to my quarantine set list
OMG i have died and gone to heaven,,,what a beautiful version of over the rainbow,,,,just incredable
Alan Shillington lespaul.org
great web page ,have been through most of it already...very multi talented man was lestor
That was great Chris! Thanks for the Video!!
Mr Paul was crippled with arthritis,,,but could still play better than most..
Absolutely enthralling. Some of the prettiest playing I have ever heard.
Love Les Paul. What a dude...Tommy!! Wow, just great commitment to the instrument. Fab!
Truly blessed from GOD above. ✝️ AMAZING.
Tommy gives to all. Thank you
What more can be said than what others have posted here. Simply superb!
omg just speechless. Best of the best
I've never had that much a liking for "Over the Rainbow" - rather hackneyed I suppose - but now I do. Those harmonics!!!
Brought tears to my eyes, so beautiful.
God bless 'im! Rest in Jesus, Les Paul and you too, Mary Ford.
oh my, how lovely was this...
lulu winke lespaul.org
I love to hear your beautiful music Everytime..dear Tommy
Thank you so much....
Thank you so much for uploading this!!
oh man....Tommy Emmanuel has always been the consummate professional, but this performance was truly breath-taking. Bravo!
So thats what is the result of endless hours of practice. You get good, really good. Awesome work Mr Emmanuel.
How Awesome Somewhere Over the Rainbow... my 1st forever favorite song.
Wonderful moment, thanks 4 posting.
A true and tested musician
Wow! For those of you just popping through, there is a beautiful version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow at about the 8min mark in the video. Truly a great performance. If you like the guitar at all you will like this. It fun to listen to the OG guys talk about "back in the day" but really, check out this musically elegant and emotional performance. Thank you for posting it!
Tommy paying tribute to the man who invented the electric guitar, and such a beautiful version of 'over the rainbow'... made me cry
No, Les did not invent the electric guitar. He did many innovations and did design solid body guitars. His big contribution to the recording industry was developing over dub and multi track recording. He was always a great guitarist.
Over the Rainbow is out of this world!
That arrangement is so beautiful, it hurts.
not too sure if just thousands of hours of hard work could even get you close to what Tommy did right there and then. WOW!! So much SOUL! Kudos! I think Les Paul would have loved to jam together had he been in better condition. ;) for the love of guitar, the passion for music!
After seeing that performance, I abruptly got up and went for my guitar, but my guitar reared back and snarled at me!
Makes a grown man cry!!!!❤
Love Les... so glad I was able to see him in person several times. Huge fan of Tommy. Stunning!
Great site. I have a Les Paul Custom, wine-colored with gold hardware... that Les signed. Then Jim Marshall signed it (there the same night). Later I was able to get BB King to sign it. Finally I took it to a Gibson repair facility in Nashville and have them prep the guitar and then lacquer the signatures in so they can't come off.
I also have a lot of Les' music and am fairly well aware of his history and accomplishments.
But... most of all... I'm glad I was able to see him both at the old Iridium and the new Iridium. I only wish I had been able to catch him more often than I did.
Bloody awesome ❤️❤️❤️
All I got is WOW.....I know Les liked it....Tommy is off the chain....