Idaho By Al Caiola
Al Caiola is arguably the most versatile guitarist of the past 50 years. Al Caiola is a guitarist who plays jazz, country, rock, western, and pop music. He was the arranger and producer for several "Percussion" albums in the early 60's under the "Time Series 2000" label. He has recorded over fifty albums and has worked with some of the biggest stars of the 20th Century. He has worked with artists from Tony Bennett to Andy Williams, and most of the mainstream singers in between. His session work has been with such as Frank Sinatra, Percy Faith, Buddy Holly, Mitch Miller, and Tony Bennett. Starting in1960 he was a recording star on the United Artists label for over ten years. United Artists used Caiola to make commercial recordings of many movie and television themes. At the same time he was recording under his own name for United Artists, Caiola was arranging and leading "The Living Guitars".
His singles of the theme songs from "Bonanza" and "The Magnificent Seven" were top 40 hits in 1960 & 1961. He recorded through the 60's, though no others singles appeared on the charts except for "From Russia With Love" in 1964. His '61 album "Hit Instrumentals From Western TV Themes" included "Wagon Train", "Paladin", "The Rebel" and "Gunslinger". Probably his most popular album is "Solid Gold Guitar", with his arrangements of "Two Guitars", "I Walk the Line", etc.
Along with Tony Mottola, Caiola was the "first call" guitarist in New York City for over thirty years. Johnny Mathis's album "Open Fire, Two Guitars" features Caiola and Tony Mottola, both on acoustic guitars. In 1985, he was the lead guitarist in the band that accompanied Frank Sinatra on his tour of Europe. He regularly appeared with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé in their nightclub and concert performances.
This selection is from his album "The Guitar Style Of Al Caiola" released in 1962. He is accompanied on this album by guitarists George Barnes, Al Casamente, Don Arnone, Bucky Pizzarelli & Billy Bauer.