Larry Carlton is one of the most recorded guitarists in all of popular music, playing on over 100 gold albums, including Joni Mitchell’s Court & Spark, Steely Dan’s the Royal Scam, and Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall. He won one of his four Grammy’s for the theme to “Hill Street Blues” in 1981, with Mike Post. Over the last few decades, he’s concentrated more on his solo career – yet his latest offering is a collaboration with his good friend, another great guitarist, Robben Ford.

The new album & DVD is Larry Carlton & Robben Ford Unplugged. Recorded in Paris, the eight song set offers new twists on classics from both artists, as well as a few surprises. We talk to the multi-faceted guitarist about his relationship with Ford, recording with Steely Dan, and why he chose the Gibson E-335 as his “go to” guitar.