Les Paul - The Complete Decca Trios - (1936-1947) [2CD] (1997) [EAC-FLAC]
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More than just a roundup of the Les Paul Trio's Decca recordings -- which by themselves wouldn't add up to a single CD, let alone two -- this 50-track set is a bewilderingly diverse compendium of Paul's adventures in show business prior to his string of hits with Mary Ford. In doing so, MCA has made amends for at least four decades of neglect, unearthing ten previously unreleased tracks as part of the deal.

The set begins with six of Paul's earliest sides backing salacious blues shouter Georgia White on acoustic guitar, and then there are four extremely rare sides of Paul doing his hillbilly Rhubarb Red act, tootling on harmonica, strumming rhythm guitar, and singing in a honeyed voice. Throughout the collection, there are extensive samplings of Paul backing several top singers from the mainstream of '40s pop -- Bing Crosby, the Andrews Sisters, Dick Haymes, Helen Forrest, and the Delta Rhythm Boys -- his clever, caressing guitar obligatos enhancing the vocals and foreshadowing his ballad work with Ford. The trio sides form the heart of the set, but here again, there is a lot of diversity. Jazz sides like "Blue Skies" and "Dream Dust" are showcases for Paul's extraordinary melodic gift and speed, and the newly released outtakes reveal his streak of perfectionism. But there are also several sweetly sedate Hawaiian tunes and a couple of nifty country & western workouts, "Guitar Boogie" and "Steel Guitar Rag," that integrate his jazz licks into the picture. Although the sound is slightly distorted in spots and short on bass -- the "noise reduction" gremlins at MCA are at it again -- this double-disc set is still a treasure chest for Les Paul collectors


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Tracklist:
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CD1
01 - New Dupree Blues
02 - Daddy Let Me Lay It On You
03 - I Just Want Your Stingaree
04 - Black Rider
05 - I'll Keep Sittin' On It (If I Can't Sell It)
06 - Trouble In Mind
07 - Just Because
08 - Just Because Answer
09 - Deep Elem Blues #2
10 - Deep Elem Blues
11 - Cindy
12 - Flipino Hombre
13 - Dream Dust
14 - Begin The Beguine (1)
15 - Dark Eyes
16 - Blues Skies (1)
17 - Blues Skies (2)
18 - Begin The Beguine (2)
19 - Dream Dust (2)
20 - Dark Eyes (2)
21 - It's Been A Long, Long Time
22 - Whose Dream Are You 
23 - Hawaiian Paradise
24 - My Isle Of Gloden Dreams
25 - Spellbound
26 - Everybody Knew But Me

CD2
01 - Baby, What You Do For For Me
02 - Everybody Knew But Me
03 - Song Of The Islands
04 - Sweet Leilani
05 - Kings Serenade
06 - To You, Sweetheart, Aloha
07 - Sweet Hawaiian Moonlight
08 - Aloha Oe
09 - Pretending
10 - Gotta Get Me Somebody To Love
11 - One-Sided Affair
12 - What Would It Take 
13 - Rumors Are Flying
14 - It's A Pity To Say Goodnight
15 - Steel Guitar Rag
16 - Guitar Boogie (1)
17 - Guitar Boogie (2)
18 - Caravan
19 - Somebody Loves Me
20 - Gotta Get Me Somebody To Love
21 - What Am I Gonna Do About You 
22 - Drifting And Dreaming (Sweet Paradise)
23 - What Are You Doing For New Years Eve 
24 - My Future Just Passed

*1997 Decca / MCA Records | MCAD2-11708


Personnel: featuring Les Paul, Bing Crosby, Terry Shand, Cal Gooden, Georgia White, Bob Meyer, Dick Haymes, Jud DeNaut, Walter Wechsler, Tom Todd, Laverne Andrews, Maxene Andrews, Patty Andrews, Abe Siegel, Clint Nordquist, Bob Armstrong, Helen Forrest, Irv Kluger, Clint Neagley, Bob Lawson, etc.




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