This weeks song got stuck in my head when walking back from the weekly pub quiz on Monday. It just nestled itself right in the brain and wouldn't leave so apologies in advance if it does it to you too (though I'd argue it as being a good thing).
Les Paul is renowned the world over as being a pioneer in the invention of the electric guitar after becoming dissatisfied with the acoustic-electric guitars which were available at the time and deciding to create something new.
Les Paul was a dedicated guitarist, so much so that when he shattered his arm in a car accident in 1948 and doctors informed him that, due to the extensive damage done to his elbow, the best they could do was set his arm in a fixed position he opted to have it fixed in a position that meant he could continue to play guitar.
Also, what is often less known about Les Paul is his important role in the development of multi-tracking, delay effects and overdubbing which played such an important part in the progression of recording and which are still used to this day.
Some of the best evidence of these multi-tracking techniques in their early stages can be found in the recordings he did with his then wife Mary Ford. Having met in 1945, Les and Mary started working together in 1948 and were married in 1949. There songs would consist of layer upon layer of Les playing the melody on guitar in different ways so as to build the tune and Mary adding even more layers of her singing the song and then doing multiple harmonies on top of this to create the final song.
Due to the fact that it was only Les and Mary working on it the music had, and still does in my opinion, quite a unique sound to it that is hard to describe. I do, however, find it extremely beautiful music and Mary Ford has such a warm, delicate but melodic voice.
'How High The Moon' was their second US number 1 hit in 1951 and is a great display of the multi-tracking style they were developing. It is also such a pretty song that you can't help but love it.
I really hope you enjoy this song as I think it's just wonderful!
Les Paul & Mary Ford - How High The Moon
Somewhere there's music
How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
There is no moon above
When love is far away too
Till it comes true
That you love me as I love you
Somewhere there's music
How near, how far
Somewhere there's heaven
It's where you are
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
Somewhere there's music
How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
1 comment:
Sweet song. Les and Mary are gone and certainly never forgotten. IMHO, not only did Les contribute mightily to the technology of guitar and modern recording, but he himself was an extraordinary guitarist. This last part I think is too often lost in the greatness of what he brought to music.
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