The Pump (Live 2001)

The song The Pump (Live 2001) by Larry Carlton and Steve Lukather, featured on their Grammy-winning album No Substitutions: Live in Osaka, is a dynamic cover of a Jeff Beck track originally written by Simon Phillips and Tony Hymas for Beck’s 1980 album There and Back. Recorded during their 1998 Japan tour at the Blue Note in Osaka, the live version stretches over 14 minutes, showcasing the duo’s electrifying guitar interplay. In a 2001 interview snippet from Lukather’s official website, he called the performance “a great night for both of us,” emphasizing the raw, unpolished energy of the show, with no post-production fixes or edits. He humorously noted, “I had NOTHING to do with it... Maybe God is trying to tell me something!” Fans on platforms like Last.fm have praised the track’s stereo separation, with Carlton and Lukather each assigned their own channel, creating a vivid listening experience that highlights their distinct styles—Carlton’s smooth, jazzy finesse and Lukather’s fiery rock shredding. Some fan reviews on Amazon even claim this rendition surpasses Beck’s original, calling it “a match made in heaven.”

Interestingly, the song wasn’t just a one-off cover. Lukather has cited The Pump as one of his favorite Jeff Beck tunes to perform live, a sentiment echoed in a 2000 Total Guitar interview where he discussed his admiration for Carlton’s musical approach during their Japan tour. Carlton, in turn, shared in a Grammy acceptance speech for the album that working with Lukather was special because they’d been friends for years but hadn’t played live together until this project. He said, “We wanted to do something special for our fans in Japan, and that’s how this album came together.” The track also sparked some fan speculation about missing songs from the performance, with one review on Amazon noting that covers like Jimi Hendrix’s Red House and Little Wing were played that night but omitted from the album, possibly due to royalty issues. Despite these absences, the raw power of The Pump and the duo’s chemistry made the album a standout, earning them the 2002 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album.

Larry Carlton began his career in the 1960s as a session musician in Los Angeles, laying down tracks for artists across genres, from pop to jazz. Born in Torrance, California, in 1948, he picked up the guitar at age six and was gigging professionally by his teens. His big break came with studio work for acts like Steely Dan, where his iconic solo on Kid Charlemagne from 1976’s The Royal Scam cemented his reputation. Carlton’s blend of jazz, rock, and blues also led to a stint with The Crusaders, and later, he co-founded the jazz-fusion group Fourplay. His official website, larrycarlton.com, details his extensive discography and tour dates. You can follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather at sites like 335 Records and the Larry Carlton Fan Club on Facebook, where they share concert stories and rare recordings.

Steve Lukather, born in 1957 in San Fernando Valley, California, started playing guitar at age seven, inspired by The Beatles and later by guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Larry Carlton himself. A founding member of Toto, Lukather’s career exploded with hits like Rosanna and Africa in the late ’70s and ’80s. Before Toto, he was a prolific session player, contributing to albums by Michael Jackson (including Thriller), Paul McCartney, and Elton John. In a 1984 Guitar Player interview, he recalled how Carlton’s work on The Royal Scam “changed my whole life,” pushing him to blend rock energy with sophisticated jazz chords. His official website, stevelukather.com, offers tour updates, merch, and a deep dive into his solo work. Connect with him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fan communities thrive at places like Toto-Music.net and the Toto Fans Facebook group, where devotees discuss everything from Lukather’s solos to his gear.