Les Paul - Chasing Sound (2007)

Must have for musicians

This documentary is a must have for any one interested in Music or anyone who plays music. Les Paul is a genius and this dvd proves it. Without him the world of music would be totally different today. October 15, 2008

Not just a PBS movie

I was very fortunate this June to be able to see Les on his 93rd birthday at the Iridium. It was a once in a lifetime event. I had already seen the movie last Fall on PBS and had videotaped it off the air. After seeing him in NY, I decided to purchase the DVD because of the "extras" on it.
I'm SO glad I did! Besides the TV clips, photos and other goodies, there is a section from his 90th birthday at Iridium. This is a keepsake as it was just like the night I was there. In addition, I was floored with the expertise of the video shoot. It is flawless. To be able to capture the video in such a small club, make it glossy yet make the viewer feel like they're right there is not an easy task. The audio is absolute perfection.
I would not be surprised if Les himself had the final word on this mix. When I left the Iridium that night, I grabbed a brochure on my way out. The next day I read it and found that the "Meyer sound system" in the club was conceived by Les! I'm an audiophile and former Chief Engineer for several 50KW stations. When I sat down in the club and heard the sound, I knew then that like me, Les is a perfectionist.

You will really enjoy this DVD. I give it 5 stars. Go see him live.
He's there every Monday night. You won't be disappointed. July 16, 2008

Les Paul Fans Gotta Have This!

This is a great piece for any Les Paul fan and guitar enthusiast! It goes to the Iridium in NY, his home in NJ, shows much of the original equipment he invented, the junker Lincoln in his driveway and Les is just an absolute hoot for a 90 year old guy (93 now). I've met him on 2 occassions and it was definately a huge experience! Get to NYC and go to the Iridium Jazz Club and see him for yourself! June 29, 2008

Les Paul, Sound Pioneer, Still Kicking

At the occasion of Les Paul's 90th birthday, the filmmakers chronicle not just the fascinating life of the inventor of the hardbody electric guitar and a slew of music technologies, but the life of American music throughout most of the 20th century.

We first meet the mischievous and questing Les Polsfuss from Wauskeshaw, Wisconsin as he takes his mom's phone and radio to amplify himself for local performances. We follow him through his earliest country/hillbilly music phase through his baptism into the Chicago Jazz scene, and off from there to California and New York. Les on his early on-stage schooling by his great contemporaries: "Charlie [Christian, in Harlem] just nailed me right to the wall. I got beat by everybody. And rightfully so. And that's why I learned. I got the privilege to play with the all greats in their prime." Along the way, many of the personalities incidental to American music pop in for well-produced commentary. I found Les' relationship with one-time wife Mary Ford and his partnership with Chet Atkins to be among the most heartwarming parts of the story.

The crafters of the excellent documentary also take full advantage of the music of the era as well as film, video and stills. This has got to be the definitive film story of the life of this American original, Les Paul, and is a very good companion to other great American music histories. May 9, 2008

What a life!

This is a fabulous biography of an amazing man. This is a must see for any guitarist. Les Paul was a great guitar player that perhaps does not get enough credit as such because of his choice to make a living rather than just make music, as many of his jazz contemporaries did. Not content or more likely not capable of being satisfied just being a world class musician, he was also one of the inventors of the solid body electric guitar as well as multi-track recording. He is also the namesake of one of the most successful guitars of all time, Gibson's Les Paul. At 90 plus years old, he is still playing weekly concerts at his night club in Manhattan.

The director, John Paulson has done an excellent job compiling and editing footage from decades of TV shows and movies featuring Mr. Paul as well as many interviews of the man himself and many of his legion admirers. Anyone watching this movie is sure to wind up feeling like a slacker in comparison to the talented workaholic that is Les Paul. Highly recommended.

April 30, 2008

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