Search - Louie Shelton :: Urban Culture

The Monkees' "Last Train to Clarksville," Seals and Crofts's "Diamond Girl," and Boz Scaggs's "Lowdown" represent just a fraction of the hits containing licks or solos by guitarist Louie Shelton. Shelton's L.A. session work ushered in a golden age of guitar on records when his torch was taken up by aces like Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, and Jay Graydon. For all that, Urban Culture doesn't have the impact of his best studio work, but it does accurately reflect his artistic range. Appreciation of Shelton's art comes from close listening to the niceties of his elegant touch. Occasionally, as on "Inner City Blues" and "Boogaloo (reminiscent of some of John Scofield's recent work), the energy level lifts off a bit, but more often the grooves, while refreshingly human, are more relaxing than exciting. Still, Shelton has the distinction of having helped invent "smooth" and in his hands, it is still a positive thing. --Michael Ross