A Perfect Misnomer
Barry McCanna | Normandy, France | 09/09/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Anyone buying this 4-CD set on the strength of its title and misleading Product Description may be in for a rude awakening (quite literally) because it begins in 1936, nine years before Mary's first record, with Les accompanying blues singer Georgia White in five numbers, three of which are not for the easily (and not so easily) offended. Other singers include Bing Crosby, Helen Forrest, Dick Haymes, and the Andrews Sisters; in fact, Mary Ford does not appear until halfway through the second disc. If you're not looking solely for recordings covering the partnership, and want to learn more of Les Paul's formative years and subsequent career (both from the recordings and Joop Visser's exemplary notes - in an illustrated 44-page booklet) then you'll enjoy this 20-year conspectus. If not, be warned in advance."
Les Paul 4-CD Set Review
Robert T. Lukomski | Milwaukee, WI, USA | 07/07/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's my opinion that this is the finest collection of Les Paul material available in one package. Four CDs contain songs from his earliest professional recordings including several Bing Crosby numbers, all the way through the Mary Ford era. This set has a good mix of instrumentals as well as songs with singing. It's also the only set I've found that has all the songs I was really looking for. Instead of buying 2 or 3 Les Paul CDs to get all your favorites, I'd just buy this 4-CD package and get them all in one nicely produced set. It comes with a book that has great information and pictures. Sound quality is great! Highlights: How High the Moon, The World is Waiting For the Sunrise, In the Good Ol' Summertime, Mockinbird Hill, Caravan, Goofus, Tiger Rag, Vaya Con Dios, I Really Don't Want To Know, Bye Bye Blues, Smoke Rings, Meet Mr Callaghan, I'm a Fool to Care, Tennessee Waltz and sooo much more!"