If you’re going for the big gulp, you could do no better than this excellent four-disc box set, which covers all the highlights of Les Paul and Mary Ford’s tenure with the label. Sparkling sound abounds throughout (even on the old acetate masters like “Lover”), with the first three discs covering not only the best issued Capitol masters, but three of Paul and Ford’s radio shows for NBC and assorted catchy radio commercials for Robert Hall clothiers and Rheingold beer. The fourth disc in the set features no less than 34 previously unreleased tracks (most worked up for the Les Paul & Mary Ford at Home television show) with absolutely no letdown in the quality, musical or otherwise. Combined with all this great music is a booklet that is exemplary in its scope, chock-full of great photos, the best liners you could ask for on the duo by Stephen K. Peeples, and, best of all, a track-by-track running commentary from Les himself, right down to what guitar he used. Exhaustive and illuminating, both legend and legacy are served well here.
Released Date: November 11, 1991
Quality; MP3 320kbps Full Stereo
Genre: Vocal Jazz, Country, Blues
CD 1
01. Lover – 02:48
02. Brazil – 02:38
03. Hip-Billy Boogie – 02:32
04. What Is This Thing Called Love? – 02:40
05. Caravan – 02:58
06. Nola – 02:37
07. Cryin’ – 02:49
08. Dry My Tears – 02:13
09. Goofus – 02:39
10. Tennessee Waltz – 03:10
11. Little Rock Getaway – 02:26
12. Mockin’ Bird Hill – 02:19
13. Chicken Reel – 02:08
14. How High The Moon – 02:06
15. Walkin’ And Whistlin’ Blues – 02:42
16. Josephine – 02:01
17. I Wish I’d Never Seen Sunshine – 02:44
18. In The Good Old Summertime – 02:10
19. Three Little Words – 01:57
20. Jazz Me Blues – 01:37
21. Just One More Chance – 01:54
22. Whispering – 02:00
23. The World Is Still Waiting For The Sunrise – 02:12
24. Jingle Bells – 01:35
25. Tiger Rag – 02:11
26. The Les Paul Show–Episode #1: “The Case Of The Missing Les Paulverizer” – 14:37
27. “Robert Hall Clothing Store” Radio Spots (4 Different) – 01:51
28. “Rheingold Beer” Radio Spots (3 Different) – 01:26
CD 2
01. The Carioca – 02:33
02. I’m Confessin’ (That I Love You) – 02:52
03. Smoke Rings – 02:58
04. Meet Mister Callaghan – 01:51
05. Take Me In Your Arms And Hold Me – 02:13
06. Lady Of Spain – 01:53
07. My Baby’s Comin’ Home – 02:26
08. Bye Bye Blues – 02:03
09. Deep In The Blues – 02:32
10. St. Louis Blues – 02:37
11. Mammy’s Boogie – 01:45
12. I’m Sitting On Top Of The World – 02:16
13. Sleep – 02:03
14. Vaya Con Dios (May God Be With You) – 02:53
15. Johnny (Is The Boy For Me) – 02:01
16. The Kangaroo – 02:38
17. Don’cha Hear Them Blues – 01:58
18. I Really Don’t Want To Know – 02:52
19. South – 02:01
20. I’m A Fool To Care – 02:55
21. Auctioneer (I’ll Buy That Dream) – 02:21
22. Whither Thou Goest – 02:09
23. Mandolino – 02:24
24. Mr. Sandman – 02:11
25. Song In Blue – 02:21
26. The Les Paul Show–Epsiode #2: “The Gas Guitar” – 16:38