Classic Pop Icons » Les Paul

Universal donates 200,000 recordings to Library of Congress

admin — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:51:32 +0000

Universal Music Group has donated 200,000 Master Recordings to the Library of Congress. The Universal Music Collection features legendary artists such as Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and many more.

This is the largest single donation ever received by the Library’s audio-visual division, which already has more than three million sound recordings in its collection.

The Universal Music Collection will be cataloged and digitized at the Library’s Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation in Culpeper, Va., which will permanently secure their sonic quality.

Among the important masters included in the collection are:

Bing Crosby’s 1947 version of “White Christmas”
Louis Armstrong singing “Ain’t Misbehavin’”
The Mills Brothers’ “Paper Doll”
Ella Fitzgerald’s and Louis Armstrong’s duet “Frim Fram Sauce”
Les Paul’s “Guitar Boogie”
Josh White singing “Jim Crow”
Machito and his Afro-Cuban All Stars Mercury recordings.

Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington, welcomed Universal Music Group’s donation:

“It is certainly within the national interest to acquire this recorded collection, and all its accompanying materials, for custodial care. A surprisingly high percentage of America’s recording heritage since the early part of the 20th century has been lost due to neglect and deterioration. The donation of the UMG archive to the Library of Congress is a major gift to the nation that will help maintain the inter-generational connection that is essential to keeping alive, in our collective national memory, the music and sound recordings meaningful to past generations.”

Zach Horowitz, UMG’s president and chief operating officer, said:

“Music is a distinctive feature of any historical period, and this particular collection of masters provides true insight into popular music’s humble beginnings and who we are as a culture today. We are delighted to be collaborating with the Library of Congress to preserve and call attention to the groundbreaking musical achievements of these amazing musical pioneers.”

The Library will stream recordings from the collection on a website to be launched in the spring.

American music legends series

admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:07:30 +0000

The Observor has produced a great series on some of some of the living legends of American music, as recalled by the stars they influenced.

In addition, photographer Jamie-James Medina spent a year taking portraits of these legends for Observor Music Monthly. The results are impressive and are presented with the articles.

The following articles are included in the series:

Jerry Lee Lewis: the hellfire pianist by Ray Davies

Chuck Berry: hail, hail, rock ‘n’ roll by Bobby Gillespie

Little Richard: the outrageous pianist by Richard Hawley

Pete Seeger: pioneer of protest by Billy Brag

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott: folk pioneer by Roger McGuinn

Etta James: blues powerhouse by Adele

Smokey Robinson: the soul of Motown by Corinne Bailey Rae

Little Anthony: the original teen dreamer by Pete Waterman

Ornette Coleman: jazz revolutionary by Seb Rochford

Sonny Rollins: sax colossus by Charlie Watts

Dave Brubeck: piano’s gentle giant by Jamie Cullum

Jimmy Scott: a voice from another world by Sufjan Stevens

Wanda Jackson: rockabilly queen by Imelda May

Kris Kristofferson: the thinking man’s outlaw by Steve Earle

Charlie Louvin: the singer of God-fearing country by Emmylou Harris

Ralph Stanley: preaching the gospel of bluegrass by Martin Carthy

T-Model Ford: boss of the blues by Dan Auerbach

Honeyboy Edwards: Delta bluesman by Paul Jones

Pinetop Perkins: the oldest living bluesman by Seasick Steve

Buddy Guy: guitar visionary by John Mayer

Les Paul: the innovator by Slash

The Living Legend series was conceived before Les Paul’s death, but the portrait and tribute remained part of the series.

The great Les Paul has died

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:56:44 +0000

I’ve just heard the sad news that the great Les Paul has died at the age of 94. He died of complications from pneumonia at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York.

As well as being a hugely gifted guitarist, Les Paul was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar. His signature guitar design ‘The Gibson Les Paul’ has been used by many of the greatest guitarists in rock history, including Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend and Slash.

The Gibson 50th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Standard

If Paul’s contribution had ended there, he would still be considered a musical legend, but he also developed recording innovations such as overdubbing, tape delay, phasing effects, and multitrack recording that have been crucial in the recording of some of the finest albums of all time.

It’s impossible to overestimate the impact the guitarist and inventor had on the music industry. He was a true legend.

This ‘Les Paul – Chasing Sound’ DVD comes very highly recommended if you want to find out more about the great man.