Les Fradkin: Buy

Buy One Link Between Them at Apple iTunes!

"The Space Rock sound everyone is talking about!"

What happens when you combine elements of Progressive Rock, Space Rock, Electronic and Neo Classical? All controlled by the amazing and expressive sound of the Starr Labs Ztar?

"ONE LINK BETWEEN THEM." How the album came to be:

After recording and releasing several successful Guitar Synthesizer Instrumental CD's since 2005, featuring Guitar Pitch to MIDI Technology, Les felt the need to break through existing barriers he had experienced since the dawn of MIDI. Although he once owned and used a SynthAxe MIDI Controller, the company had long ceased doing business and there seemed to be very little to choose from in the way of advanced MIDI control that a virtuso guitarist could play in real time with reliable and predictable results with modern music technology.

Always on the lookout for a MIDI Guitar that could track as fast as he could play, he discovered the Starr Labs Ztar in the Summer of 2007 which, unexpectedly, opened up a whole new Universe of performance and expressive possibilities for him as a composer, musician and guitar synthesist.

As a result of acquiring this new instrument, Les has chosen to gravitate away from traditional guitar based pop music and his current work involves the music and dynamic of Electronic sound as realized from the performance control of the Ztar. Searching for a means that could transport the listener to new realms of experience, he found himself now able to single-handedly orchestrate entire new worlds of sonic tapestry in real time with perfect tracking which were never before possible from previous MIDI Guitar technology. An entirely new merging of mind, heart, and computer technology resulting in new music was now posssible. Using a blend of Rock, Electronic, Progressive and Neo Classical signposts, Les' new CD "One Link Between Them" opens up a new door to a sound which has thrilled music fans the world over.

"ONE LINK BETWEEN THEM" Composition Notes:

This CD was originally conceived as a conceptual trip thru the Solar System in the distant future when manned space travel will be commonplace. If you'd like to hear these songs as individual unrelated nuggets, great. If you're into linking things together to form a larger picture, here goes.

1. "Lift Off" (Composed by Les Fradkin): This super charged opening number begins with the sound of our astral traveler being "beamed" up to the space station to rendezvous with his spacecraft. Once on board, he's confronted with weightlessness which is suggested by the "wobbly" synth sounds which follow. Then, he fires the ignition and heads off into space at great velocity.

2. "Orbiter" (Composed by Les Fradkin): This one finds him orbiting the planet Venus as his first stop (guess it's just too hot on Mercury). The 5/8 time signature bridge section connotes the off axis orbit Venus has (it rotates clockwise). Mellotron Violins establish the opening chord. The piece begins and ends with a signature blipping sound of his spacecraft.

3. "From Venus With Love" (Composed by Les Fradkin & Loretta Fradkin): The Astral Traveler decides to land on Venus and investigate. Of course, it's way too hot there to really do this but this is science fiction. :-) Once there, he meets the race of Venusian women who great him with a progressive tribal chant. The sound is a woman's heartbeat mixed with Mellotrons and drum loops. The main theme, as played by the Ztar controlling Moog Modular and Mellotron MK II Violins is his expression of attraction to one of these women. The middle section-well, they get together. You know, "hook up." What else is there to do on Venus? At the end, he has to depart and the main theme restates with the woman in a very high soprano voice pleading with him not to leave. This piece closes with him blasting off and fading into the distance.

4. "Liberty" (Composed by Steve Vai): On his way to Mars, the Astral Traveler has to pass by the Earth. "Liberty" was chosen to celebrate the multi nationalism present on our planet. And to remind us that freedom is too precious to lose. "Liberty" features the Ztar a shred guitar voice for this tune.

5. "Caravan" (Composed by D. Ellington, J.Ticol, I.Mills): "Caravan" has been covered many times by many artists but never quite like this! Taking this Jazz chestnut into outer space, the Middle Eastern feel (Mellotron MKII Violins) merges with a space rock backing to evoke the red planet.

6. "Warp Drive" (Composed by Les Fradkin): To speed past the asteroids and reach Jupiter safely, our astral traveler has to engage Warp Drive speed. After firing the command to do so, the computer on board says- :"We'll take you." This composition fires on all cylinders at Warp Drive. Thor Polysonic Synthesizer, Mellotron MKII and Moog Modular Synthesizers all triggered by the Ztar, combine to give this track great speed and expressiveness.

7. "Sailing All Alone" (Composed by Les Fradkin): Saturn looms ahead as our astral traveler's thoughts look back to the woman he's left behind. Very melancholic and evocative of King Crimson from "In The Court Of The Crimson King." The opening theme is stated on a Moog Modular Synthesizer. The main theme is played with a theremin-like sound from the Logic ES-2. Various Mellotrons (MKII Violins, M300 Violins, M400 Cello) evoke an icy atmosphere. At the conclusion, his memories of her meld together with the image of her face in the spaceship window. The high soprano human voice at the end is courtesy of Tara Coker-Lewis.

8. "Longing To Return" (Composed by Les Fradkin): By the time our hero is out past the orbit of Uranus, he's feeling quite alone. This beautiful piece is meant to connote those complex feelings way out in space where you arte utterly alone. The Ztar allowed Les to perform the orchestration is one take as a live overdub totally tapped on the Ztar fingerboard.

9. "A Dim Twilight" (Composed by Les Fradkin & Loretta Fradkin) : As the Astral Traveler salils past Neptune and out to the Kuiper Belt towards Pluto, Eris, Quonar and Sedna, out astral hero decides it's time to make the long journey home. The various phases of this composition connote those points passed and the trip back towards Earth. Opens with Mellotron Flute and Oboe over an exotic electronic backing. This version is different from the version on the Telstar single. This track is over 7 minutes long and the 2 minute preview clip here only offers a brief glimpse to what's in store.

10. "Telstar" (Composed by Joe Meek): What better way to achieve Earth re-entry than with the original Earth/Outer Space anthem. Features the Ztar triggering a glorious sample of a Clavioline which was the lead sound of the original recording.

Les Fradkin-"Telstar" (The Single)

This is the Les Fradkin single from his CD "One Link Between Them." Featuring the amazing sound of the Ztar from Starr Labs.

Les opens 2008 with his exciting version of the legendary smash hit "Telstar." Listeners will be caught up in the dramatic sound of the Ztar- a futuristic MIDI Guitar which controls synthesizers, computers and sequencers in undreamed of ways. Arturia Moog Modular V, Logic ES2 and Mellotron take the lead in this exciting version of "Telstar."

And follows that with a Ztar MIDI Guitar instrumental of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." Queen fans will be very taken with this instrumental performance. This version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" is only available on this Download only single.

As a bonus, another track from the "One Link Between Them" CD is "A Dim Twilight." Les controls the GForce M-Tron in a gripping performance.

Take a trip back with the Jangle Pop release you'll want as a must have. This CD features Les' renowned Rickenbacker 12-String Guitar stylings with some special surprises! Featured guest performers on this release include Richie Furay ( Buffalo Springfield, Poco) guest duetting with Les on Richie's all new composition "Only To You." The original members of The Left Banke (Mike Brown on Piano, Tom Finn on Bass and Background Vocals, Steve Martin on Guitar and Background Vocals and George Cameron on Drums and Background Vocals) appear with Les on a remixed version of his 1972 composition "I Could Make It Last Forever"- a crucial, heretofore, never heard missing piece of Left Banke history. This recording even includes Mike's father Harry Lookofsky on Violins so the entire crew from "Walk Away Renee" fame is on board for this extremely commercial piece of pop history.

Les Fradkin "I Could Make It Last Forever" Video on You Tube!

Mick Ronson and Hilly Michaels stepped in the studio way back in 1981 with Les and the resuls are found on "Spare Change."

Les also offers a selection of great Jangle covers from songs that influenced him as a 12-string guitarist: "The Byrds' "Goin' Back" and "So You Want To Be A Rock And Roll Star" as well as songs from The Searchers ("When You Walk In The Room"), The Honeycombs ("Have I The Right"-Joe Meek fans-take note!), The Hollies ("I Can't Let Go"), The Left Banke ("Walk Away Renee") Bob Dylan and Procol Harum.

Les' cover of Bob Dylan's "I Don't Want To Do It" is a must hear!

Buy "Goin' Back" at Apple iTunes!

Jangle Pop for Modern Times. The Times They Are-A-Changin and you can hear Bob Dylan's most famous tunes through the "Wheel's On Fire" sound of Les Fradkin.

Buy "If Your Memory Serves You Well" at Apple iTun

With times changin at today's speeds, Bob Dylan fans can now hear something new from Les Fradkin, who has found great success with "Single" download sales across the Internet.

In this new Jangle Pop release, the "Jangleholic" and his trusty Rickenbacker 12-String guitar are at it again! Les takes more than just a common tribute approach and reveals a unique perspective in the diverse influences that form the basis of a new sound for Bob Dylan's music. Byrds, Beatles, George Harrison, The Hollies, Phil Spector, Manfred Mann, Tom Petty and Dylan all blend together for a distinct journey through the Bob Dylan catalog. "This Wheels On Fire", "The Times They Are-A-Changin" will impress Byrds fans and Les' reading of "One Of Must Know" is a must hear as it takes Dylan into new sonic territory. Tom Petty fans will delight to his approach on "Absolutely Sweet Marie" and his fresh take on "Just Like A Woman" will suprise even those overly familiar with this Dylan hit.

The Master of the 12-String Guitar shows you all his tricks on this very popular Jangle Pop release. This CD features Les' renowned Rickenbacker 12-String Guitar stylings with some special surprises!

On this CD, he offers a selection of great Jangle covers from songs that influenced him as a 12-string guitarist: "I Want You" ( Bob Dylan ), "You Were On My Mind" ( by The We Five ), "I'll Never Find Another You" ( by The Seekers ) and TWO Paul Simon songs from the Simon & Garfunkel Songbook- "A Hazy Shade Of Winter" and his electrfying cover of "The Dangling Conversation."

Les' original compositions on this CD range from brand new tunes such as "Arrow Thru Your Heart" to gems from his past such as "Still On My Way" (co-written with Raven Kane of Neil Diamond touring fame) and "Sometimes A Girl Must Carry On" which dates back all the way to his 1971 unreleased MGM/Sunflower album.

Check out "Why Is This Man Smiling?", a track the critics love!

The title track, "Jangleholic" gives the listener a humorous account of Les' history with both the 12-string guitar and his days in Beatlemania.

Buy "Jangleholic" at Apple iTunes!

Buy "12" at Apple iTunes!

It's his 12th solo CD and he takes the Rickenbacker 12 string and his voice on new journeys-Jangle Pop with his covers of "Mr. Tambourine Man " and "Four Strong Winds", folk rock meets Tom Petty stylings on "A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall", Psychedelic folk rock with his electric version of "I Know You Rider" and several originals including the lyrically rich "Down On My Luck" and his new definitive anti war rallying cry "Lay Down Your Arms."

Available now as a CD and at download outlets everrywhere.

Les Fradkin-Guitar Revolution

"Guitar Revolution", it's 11 Beatles guitar instrumentals- a worthy follow up to "Pepper Front To Back" and "While My Guitar Only Plays."

From Classic Rock sounds to neo-classic surf guitar textures, "Guitar Revolution" delivers!

Tracks: 1. Revolution (45 Version) 2. Jet 3. Live And Let Die 4. Within You Without You (Surf Version) 5. I'll Be Back (Surf Version) 6. Free As A Bird 7. Ever Present Past 8. Dance Tonight 9. I Am The Walrus 10. Imagine 11. Rockestra Theme

Available Now!!

Les Fradkin has a brand new CD- "Pepper Front To Back." 14 Guitar Instrumentals. The entire Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album PLUS "All You Need Is Love" PLUS a special hidden track. All in time for the 40th Anniversary of The Summer Of Love and the 30th Anniversary of the opening of Beatlemania on Broadway.

What's different here? A new sound for the guitar, courtesy of Les' VG-8 V-Guitar, Roland GR33 and GR-1 Guitar Synthesizers and heavily modified Fender "Rocky" Stratocaster. The Beatles, George Martin and Giles Martin started a mash up of Beatles tracks for The Cirque du Soleil and Love albums.

Les takes things one step further with a virtual mash-up of guitar technology resulting in guitar sounds never heard before and sonic possibilities only dreamed of till now.

Les Fradkin has the singular distinction of having been the first musician to portray "George Harrison" in the Original Cast Of the Broadway production of "Beatlemania." Chosen from over 2000 guitarists back in 1976, Les starred in the smash Broadway musical which ran for over 2 years and has toured all over the world.

Check out "While My Guitar Only Plays"-14 Beatles Guitar Instrumentals featuring a guest appearance from Ventures Lead Guitarist Nokie Edwards!

And check out "A Day At The Beach" which has 4 tunes featured in the new motion picture:

"Accidental Icon:The Real Gidget Story."

Buy "Spirit of Christmas" at Apple iTunes

A Jangle and chime Rickenbacker 12-String Christmas!

Every year, so many people say they wish they could hear sone brand new Christmas songs. Well, here they are.... and as a bonus, you'll get new covers of George Harrison's "Ding Dong, Ding Dong", John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" and Roy Wood and Wizzard's "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday."

Les' new songs for Christmas include some done in Phil Spector style ("Say You Love Me For Christmas", "Jangle Bells", "Hello Christmas, Goodbye Year"), a Byrds meets Roy Orbison styled "The Spirit Of Christmas", a British Pop Edison Lighthouse styled "My Baby Loves Christmas", a reggae meets Jimmy Buffett exploration on "Christmas Vacation", the Les Fradkin and Raven Kane collaboration and Procol Harum influenced "A Christmas Gone Too Soon" and the song Les and collaborator Diana Haig originally wrote for The Drifters- "There Won't Be Christmas This Year....an anthem for the men and women in the Armed Forces of the USA.

Something new for Christmas!

Buy "Under The Covers" at Apple iTunes!

This Jangle Pop CD gives everyone a look at some of his newest music- drenched in hooks galore for fans of Beatles Pop and 70's AM radio Pop.

You'll also get to hear brand new versions of his origional MGM/Sunflower single "Song Of A Thousand Voices" and "You Can Cry If You Want" which has been a must have for 45RPM collectors for years. These songs have been unavailable for 35 years.

New songs this time out include "Under The Covers", an autobiographical followup to "Jangleholic." Other newies include "Through The Looking Glass" and "Take A Chance" which are slices of 60's & 70's Pop ear candy with hooks galore. His latest tune, "I Cry" promises to be one of his most covered compositions. Co-written with Amber Gomez of Venus In Bluejeans, this tune will grab you every time you hear it. All with Les' famous Rickenbacker 12-String guitar stylings mixed with his "sonic signature" production stamp.

Covers this time round include: "Reflections Of My Life" (The Marmalade), "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again" (The Fortunes) "Montego Bay" (Bobby Bloom), and "I'd Love You To Want Me" (Lobo).

And as a surprise bonus, Les sings his famous French Mireille Mathieu hit.... in French! Arranged with a nod to the original Paul Mauriat ("Love Is Blue")arrangement in mind, Les brings his self-composed Mathieu classic into modern sound.

This release is pressed on special edition BLACK Colored CD's which reflect crimson burgundy in bright light.

One time "Under The Covers" and you'll be hooked!

NEWS FLASH!!!!:

YOU CAN NOW DOWNLOAD "They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha! Haa!" at Apple iTunes!

The story behind this disc is shrouded in MYSTERY!

You may have heard this song before. You may remember Napoleon XIV from those heady days of the summer of 1966.

40 years ago, "They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha! Haa!!" took AM Pop radio by storm. "They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha! Haa!" sold 1.2 million copies and made it all the way to #3 in Billboard before it was banned from airplay. It was an utterly unique novelty hit- nothing like it before.... or since. UNTIL NOW!

40 years later, Napoleon's Ghost offers up a brand new version of this all time comedy musical novelty. Complete with "warped" VSO vocals, sirens and great fun. If you're under stress, this song is the place to press.

As a special bonus, Napoleon's Ghost even re-creates the fun of the original B-side: BACKWARDS!!!!

These songs will available for download only across The Internet.

DOWNLOAD "They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha! Haa!" at Apple iTunes.

Produced by Les Fradkin. A DOWNLOAD ONLY RRO Single.

Les' music shows up in many popular iMixes at Apple iTunes!

Buy "Perfect World" at Apple iTunes!

With covers of hits such as "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) ", "My Baby Loves Lovin'" and "Smile A Little Smile For Me" as well as Beach Boys influenced Sunshine Pop gems like "God Bless California" and "You Belong To Me." Features guest appearances by Hal Blaine, Carole Kaye, Don Randi and Mitch Holder ("Phil Spector's Wrecking Crew"). Les' version of "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" is a best seller at Apple iTunes!

Buy "Something for George" at Apple iTunes!

Les Fradkin has the singular distinction of being the first musician chosen to portray George Harrison in the Original Cast of Beatlemania on Broadway back in 1977.

Now, you can hear Les sing and play 9 great George Harrison hits as only he can!

Features guest appearances from Richie Furay (Poco, Buffalo Springfield) and Lon Van Eaton (Apple Records Recording Artist)

Les' version of "My Sweet Lord" is an iTunes hit!

New for 2006! Les brings you 11 more George Harrison hits in a musical tribute to The Quiet One of Beatles- this time, with full vocals, jangling Rickenbacker 12 String Guitar and featuring a brand new never heard arrangement of George's tune "You Know What To Do" which was originally heard in demo form on The Beatles "Anthology, Volume 1." Also included are some interesting takes and detours on familiar George Harrison material: A Nick Drake meets Donavan slant on "Don't Bother Me" and an Dillards style Electric Bluegrass vision of "You Like Me Too Much."

Buy "Reality" at Apple iTunes!

The Les Fradkin CD that launced his solo career. Includes "Rehearsals For Retirement", "You Can't Change Me" and "Magic Attic."