Les Paul: 1915-2009
By Jeff Tamarkin

If ever there was a musician who deserved a long, happy life, that would be Les Paul. His accomplishments and contributions were numerous and enormous. Not only was Paul instrumental in the development of the solid body guitar, multi-track recording, tape delay and several other hallmarks of the music world as we know it today, he was a guitarist of stunning skill and taste.

Both with his late wife, Mary Ford, and on his own, Paul recorded prolifically, racking up a long string of hit records for the Capitol label beginning in the late 1940s. Les Paul and Mary Fords top-selling sides included How High the Moon (1951) and Vaya Con Dios (May God Be With You) (1953), both of which remained number one on the Billboard charts for many weeks. The man for whom the ubiquitous Gibson Les Paul guitar was named died in White Plains, N.Y., on the morning of August 13. He was 94.

Born Lester William Polsfuss in Waukesha, Wisc., on June 9, 1915, Les Paul began his professional career as a guitarist in his early teens. Although Paul started out in the country music field, and first recorded in 1936 under the name Rhubarb Red, he soon switched over to jazz. Paul also enjoyed popularity in the 30s as a radio personality in the Chicago area. He relocated to New York in 1938, where he joined the popular dance orchestra Fred Warings Pennsylvanians.

In 1948, Paul was involved in a debilitating auto accident that resulted in his right arm being set permanently into a position that would allow him to keep picking. He continued to do so for more than 60 years, co-hosting a popular television program with his wife between 1953 and 1960 (they would divorce in 1964) and appearing on radio and in other media. Paul semi-retired in the late 60s, then eased back into work in the 70s before returning to a more prolific performing schedule during the 80s. He maintained a weekly gig first at New Yorks Fat Tuesdays club and, for the past dozen years, the Iridium jazz club, until shortly before his death of complications from pneumonia.

In addition to his undeniable musical skillsPaul influenced generations of rock, jazz, country and blues guitaristsPaul was also credited as an inventor whose work with the solid body electric guitar helped pave the way for rock and roll in the 1950s. Unsatisfied with electrified hollow-body guitars, he designed a rudimentary solid body in 1941. A few years later, he had assembled his first jazz trio, showcasing his blazingly fast but economical solo runs on his creation, as well as his pure tone.

By the end of the 1940s, Paul had also begun experimenting with overdubbing (multi-track) recording techniques, which allowed him to lay down several guitar parts on the same recording or a singer to harmonize with him or herself. The sound-on-sound technique became customary in the art of recording. Paul is also credited with tape delay, which allows for an echo effect to be added to recordings.

Working closely with the Gibson guitar company, Paul in 1952 fashioned what he felt was the first perfect electric guitar, and was rewarded by seeing what became the Gibson Les Paul model remain one of the most popular instruments ever created. The design has undergone only minor alterations since its introduction.

In a way, that too could be said of the man himself. Les Paul always kept up with musics changes, playing with both peers (his 1977 Chester and Lester album with Chet Atkins is considered a classic) and many of those younger musicians who idolized him. A 2005 tribute album found Paul sharing licks with the likes of Keith Richards, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and others, but the distinctive Les Paul style shone through on every track. Pauls honors have been countlessamong them has been induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Famebut few will argue that Les Paul needed any trophies to validate his oversized contribution to 20th century music.

Umphrey’s Audio Depth Device

Umphreys McGee drummer Kris Myers and Umphreys McGee Lighting Crew Chief Wade Wilby will share the stage this coming Tuesday. Myers and Wilbywho spins as Wyllyswill perform at Chicagos Tonic Room under the name Audio Depth Device. The groups configuration features Myers on drums and Wyllys on turntables. Meanwhile, Umphreys McGee has confirmed a series of fall shows.

Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven’s 5th annual Campout Music Festival

Intertwined bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven host their 5th annual Campout Music Festival in Pioneertown, CA on September 11 and 12. The site is located near where Gram Parsons’ corpse was illegally burned in Joshua Tree, CA 36 years ago, Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven will be rolling into the area to light their own fire as they co-host their 5th annual CAMPOUT music festival next month and where Cracker recorded its 1993 album Kerosene Hat. In addition to performances by Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven the event will feature performances by Clem Snide, Clint Maul, Dawes, Ted Quinn and Solid Ray Woods. The event will also boast performances by various members of both marquee acts, including Greg Lisher, Jonathan Segel, McCabe and Mrs. Miller (Victor Krummenachers haunting roots collaboration with The Sippy Cups Alison Faith Levy), Johnny Hickmans pre-Cracker band The Dangers and Monks of Doom (featuring both Lisher and Krummenacher).

Son Volt’s Jay Farrar and Death Cab for Cuties Benjamin Gibbard Collaborate on New Jack Kerouac Tribute Album

Son Volt’s Jay Farrar and Death Cab for Cutie’s Benjamin Gibbard will collaborate on a new album. One Fast Move or Im Gone: Kerouacs Big Sur features 12 original songs composed and performed by the musicians, with lyrics based on the prose of Jack Kerouacs landmark 1962 novel Big Sur. The album will be released on October 20 via F-Stop/Atlantic Records along with a feature-length documentary of the same title. Despite having never met before the project, Gibbard and Farrar discovered a mutual love of Kerouacs work while recording several songs for the documentary, produced by Kerouac Films. According to a statement, After the initial San Francisco recording session in July 2007, they decided to develop the project further to create an album using Kerouacs own words from the book as the lyrics. Big Sur is an evocative account of a time in Jacks life when hed come undone, both emotionally and spiritually. He escapes to a cabin in Big Sur to confront his inner demons and find a modicum of peace by the sea.
Gibbard is said to have stayed in the original cabin Kerouac wrote about to compose songs for his bands 2008 Grammy-nominated album, Narrow Stairs. For many years, Jay Farrar’s songwriting has been inspired and influenced by Kerouacs compositional style. The album and film will be released on October 20, the day before the 40th anniversary of Kerouac’s death.

Phil Lesh and Bob Weir to Perform with Joe Russo, Jay Lane, Jeff Chimenti and DSO’s John Kadlecik This September

Phil Lesh and Bob Weir will perform together in the new group Further this September. The Dead members will lead an ensemble that includes RatDog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, RatDog drummer Jay Lane, Dark Star Orchestra guitarist John Kadlecik and Duo drummer Joe Russo. The band will play three gigs at Oakland, CAs The Fox Theater from September 18-20.

Chimenti has toured as a member of The Dead/Other Ones since 2002, while Russo spent a summer opening for Lesh in 2006 as a member of Trey Anastasios solo band. Lesh also played with Russo as part of the 2006 Bonnaroo SuperJam.