Customer Reviews

The Best of Les Paul: 20th Century Masters (Millennium Collection)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I see that the other reviewers are rating this CD on the basis of the wonderful music on it. I agree completely that it is nearly magical. However, one really wonders, could they only find 33 minutes worth of material to include on a "Best Of" for one of the most important and innovative American musicians ever? I think it is absolutely insulting to Les. His accomplishments could easily (and probably have) fill a boxed set. However, try to not let it bother you that you have been [messed over] by Decca/MCA and just enjoy the music. It is truely majestic.

Les Paul "The Best Of Les Paul - Millennium Collection" (MCA/Universal, 2001)</b>

Guitar whiz Les Paul is best known for his groundbreaking 1950s pop/instrumental work on the up-and-coming Capitol label. This WWII-era material on Decca Records is relatively unknown to most music fans. Some of it is session work, with Paul adding some sweet licks to pop tunes sung by Bing Crosby, Dick Haymes, and the Andrews Sisters. Most of this album, though, is devoted to straight jazz recordings, mellow small-combo material with plenty of standards such as "Blue Skies" and "Begin The Beguine"... It's nice stuff, a bit off the beaten track, and a nice glimpse at his career in the years before he experimented with multitracking and all the other studio wizardry he's reknowned for pioneering.

Les Paul "The Best Of Les Paul - Millennium Collection" (MCA/Universal, 2001)</b>

Guitar whiz Les Paul is best known for his groundbreaking 1950s pop/instrumental work on the up-and-coming Capitol label. This WWII-era material on Decca Records is relatively unknown to most music fans. Some of it is session work, with Paul adding some sweet licks to pop tunes sung by Bing Crosby, Dick Haymes, and the Andrews Sisters. Most of this album, though, is devoted to straight jazz recordings, mellow small-combo material with plenty of standards such as "Blue Skies" and "Begin The Beguine"... It's nice stuff, a bit off the beaten track, and a nice glimpse at his career in the years before he experimented with multitracking and all the other studio wizardry he's reknowned for pioneering.

I suppose I am fortunate enough to have seen Les Paul live at the Iridium Jazz Club on Broadway in NYC on April 30, 2007 and aquire this CD and then have the cover autographed by Les Paul himself. His contribution as an inventor, innovator, musician and most importanlty a wholesome person is what makes his existance so very impacive to the music world.

This best of CD in my opinion is just a a sample of the rest of his best of material. Yes, this is a must have, but there is so much more out there of Les as well as it's hard to capture the man and his music in such a small sampling. Take for instance his work with Bing Crosby and other legends such as Chet Atkins who Les and Chey put out a Grammy winning album in one take (yes, one take - Amazing!).

I also suggest reading about the impact Les has had on many of the greatest musicians to play the guitar, including many of those not featured on thi CD such as Jimmy Page and others.

If you can ever make the trip to the Iridium, I highly recommend it. Les is getting any younger, and I am glad I had the chance t see this living legend play while he still is able to do so. Les is a class act and a gem to listen to.

Before Les Paul landed at Capitol Records in the 50's, he recorded these sides as a small combo leader and sideman for Decca. I had never heard any of these before. Early recordings are often the most revealing. Finding these is a wonderful surprise!

There is nothing slick or contrived here. Just Les' wonderful talent in a very satisfying context. This cd showcases young Les Paul on the launching pad ready to take off on his amazing and influential career.

This cd will remain in my changer in heavy rotation.

I ordered 3 of his works and every CD was good especially the ones with Mary on them too. I'm old and remember when their songs were at the top of the charts.

This is a great compilation of Les Paul tunes. If you love Les Paul, you will love this CD. If you are not familiar with Les Paul, but are a lover of good guiitar tone and inovative techniques, it will still be a good buy. Les is quite literally "The Man". He invented the sold body/electric guitar, multi-track recording, portable recording studio, reverb and delay effects and more. And the whole time, he was one of the highest regarded guitar players in the world. Great Stuff!

This is fun to listen to and reminisce. It's funny how such a simple idea can change music forever.

Les Paul's career has spanned many decades but the years he spent playing jazz with his trio has affected all of his playing since then. Listening to these recordings exposes the roots of his work with Mary Ford and even sheds much light on the recordings he did with Chet Atkins in the late '70s.

It's good to remember that Les Paul was born only five years after Django Reinhardt and was born before Charlie Christian. When his style is analyzed in its historical context it makes much more sense that he would be doing Django-like tremolos even though he was playing them on a modified archtop electric guitar which altered the effect considerably. This group of recordings provides the last piece in the puzzle as Les Paul took the jazz guitar of Reinhardt and Christian into his own unique direction. Much of what has been played on electric guitars in the last 60 years is built directly upon the foundation that Les Paul laid and this CD displays some of the foundation stones that he used. I would recommend this for ANYONE seriously interested in the guitar.

This is a CD that I always reach for - his talent is amazing!