This is topic Anyone See "Les Paul - Chasing Sound"? in forum The Afterlife at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-17-2007, 12:01 PM:
 
I rarely watch commercial tv any more but I was lucky to have caught this one Sunday night on PBS!! Sure some of us know his name but most of us have no idea of how important this guy was to music as it is today. From his development of the solid body electric guitar to multi traking, overdubbing and reverb to the still weekly performances he does in Manhattan in his 90th year alive its all presented in this documentary with a flow that won't let you go once you start watching. This is an excellent IMHO Emmy worthy documentary on his life from the time he grew up in Wakesha, Wisconsin to the present. Don't miss it!

More info here.

10 minute you-tube trailer here.

Mark
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 07-17-2007, 01:22 PM:
 
Kinda interesting that a couple of years ago, I had the "privilage" of making phone conversation with Les. His team was creating a museum of sorts that would depect his recording studio and was gathering some artifacts that would represent a recording studio.

His team was searching for an AMPEX 300-8 R to R machine and I have a AMPEX 300 transport unit and made contact with his team on this. Les called me back himself, wondering where I'm calling from and told him in IDAHO ... "IDAHO??!! he said, Where's the hell is THAT??!!" Told him that it's next to Washington, Oregon ... Then, told me that's way out in the boonies - never heard of that state...then, he hung up on me.

(what's real bad is when you're talking to phoneline people checking on your address and the state's initials are ID and most of them think IND .. INDIANA...and I have to correct the majority of them.... )
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-17-2007, 01:55 PM:
 
Its interesting that Les was THE single person that conceived of multitrack recording. He paid Ampex out of his pocket to engineer the 300-8 for him and he still has the first example of it in his studio at home. It can be seen in the documentary. Its unfortunate that his music was out by the time they had it perfected... which took Ampex a little over three years. The one he has was never used by him for creating any of his famous albums. On another note(pun intended) he took delivery of the second Ampex 200 recorder as a gift from Bing Crosby, the 200 was the first production recorder ever made in the U.S.. He had Ampex come to his home and install a second head and with their help invented overdubbing.

Mark
 

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Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 07-17-2007, 03:23 PM:
 
He performs every week at Jazz club next to the Winter Garden Theatre in Times Square, about a block away from where I live.
 

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Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 07-17-2007, 04:56 PM:
 
Thanks for the info! This is certainly a must see for me.
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-17-2007, 05:19 PM:
 
Bill,

Now that just might actually be worth comming there to see! Is it difficult to get in there? The Irridium looks like a small place...

BTW: You can pre-order the DVD at amazon.com which is exactly what I did.

Mark
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 07-17-2007, 05:44 PM:
 

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

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He had Ampex come to his home and install a second head and with their help invented overdubbing.

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quote: Steve Guttag

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Damn...it looks like it isn't repeating anytime soon in my area...I just did a check on it.

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Steve,
Just order it from Amazon.... There is a link below. If you preorder it now its only 17.49 plus shppg. If you wait it goes up to over 20 bucks.... Here is the link...

Thanks for the link Monte. When I moved out here I brought a Studer A-80 two track with me that I had. It had the European wide gap heads and all.... capable of close to 90db signal to noise ratio! it was originally from fine arts station WFMT in Chicago... and they maintained it very well! Man that was a beautiful machine. It now lives in Alaska.... I shoulda kept it. I still do have a Technics RS-1500 closed loop machine that is also two track... Its a really great transport with even better features than the older 3-M closed loop machines but the electronics leave alot to be desired.

Mark
 

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Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 07-17-2007, 08:45 PM:
 
I saw it as well and his story is amazing. I knew some of it but this show was much more complete.
 

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Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 07-17-2007, 10:01 PM:
 
A friend took me to see him perform at the Irridium, and yeah, the place is small. You must reserve a table well in advance, and he might cancel at the last minute if he's not feeling well. We had a table right by the stage, and he still puts on a great show! Afterwards, we talked for at least 45 minutes. It was a true thrill to shake the hand of the man who created "The Sound"



I wish his eyes were open for the picture, but he does look like he's enjoying himself.
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 07-17-2007, 11:00 PM:
 
This looks great. No reruns pending around here, so I just pre-ordered the DVD.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 07-18-2007, 01:56 AM:
 

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

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from fine arts station WFMT in Chicago

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quote: Monte L Fullmer

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where they butterfly heads

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quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

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Its interesting that Les was THE single person that conceived of multitrack recording.

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quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

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My Nagra Stereo also had the same heads.

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(another off-topic comment) NAGRA's .. another brand to kill for .... was it this "T" machine below?


 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-19-2007, 03:17 PM:
 

quote: Mike Blakesley

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Yes. Richard Carpenter (of the Carpenters) probably sold more records from that technology than anyone else....it was really essential to their sound. He's often mentioned Les Paul as a major influence.

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quote: Monte L Fullmer

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was it this "T" machine below?

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