Great TV bio on Les Paul

Les Paul at The Iridium in New York City

PBS’ American Masters series has recently been showing a terrific retrospective on the life and career of the incomparable Les Paul. If you have not seen this program, look for it in your schedule and make time to watch, TIVO it, whatever you have to do. Les is the true “Godfather” of Rock ‘n Roll and, in fact, all of the modern recording industry. He is the inventor of the solid-body electric guitar, over-dubbing, multi-tracking and hundreds of other innovations in sound recording. He holds nearly fifty patents, last I heard, and the modern recording studio, with its multi-tracking sound board would not exist without his creativity and curiosity about music and sound.

On the program, you will see the original eight-track recording unit that Les built in his garage workshop and learn how he came up with many crucial inventions. But, most of all, you will hear some terrific music. There is film from the great days of Les Paul & Mary Ford, when they were dominating the pop charts. You will see him in duets with a host of contemporary musical icons, all of them worshiping this unique genius.

Amazingly, now in his 90’s, Les is still playing Monday night gigs at The Iridium in New York City and jamming at each performance with the likes of Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, & Mark Knopfler who come up out of the audience to play with the best of them all, Les Paul.

Check out Les’s official website, here:  Official Les Paul website

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Why I pick the 50’s and early 60’s

When it comes to Oldies, my favorites are from the very early days as Rhythm & Blues and Doo Wop gradually morphed into Rock ‘n Roll and became the music of teenagers. I cut it off at the early 60’s because I think The Beatles, and the rest of the “British Invasion” changed Rock ‘n Roll forever. And not necessarily for the better, in some profound ways.

I am open to and, in fact, encourage debate on this. If I am going to offer up my opinions (e.g. no dead-teenager songs) then everybody else gets to offer his or her own. That’s what this is all about. Sharing our likes, dislikes and memories of the music that has been the background to our lives.

Come on in and sit anywhere!

Welcome! We are here to talk about Music. I have music playing almost all the time. While the title says Jazz, I am a fan of Classical, Big Band, Swing, Rock ‘n Roll Oldies, Doo Wop, and even some of the old classic Country.  This is a place to share opinions, memories, sources and resources. Take a look around, speak your mind and let us know what YOU are listening to.