25 magg 1948 anni - Les Paul Multitrack Recording

Descrizione:

In 1948, Les was given one of the first Ampex Model 200A reel-to-reel audio tape recording decks by crooner Crosby, and Les soon went on to use the Ampex’s eight track “Sel-sync” machines for multitracking. Capitol Records released a recording that had begun as an experiment in Les’ garage, entitled “Lover (When you’re near me),” which featured Paul playing eight different parts on electric guitar. Some of them were recorded at half-speed, so they “double-fast” when played back. The b-side, “Brazil,” was similarly recorded. To Les’ frustration, Sidney Bechet used multitracking in 1941 to play half a dozen instruments on his hit “Sheik of Araby.” But Les took the idea further. Les and Mary Ford’s version of “How High the Moon,” which topped the billboard singles chart for nine weeks in 1951, was a tipping point. It was multi-layered, revved-up recording that highlighted not only Les’ guitar virtuosity but also the capabilities of multi-tracking. This was a true “Eureka!” moment for tape recording. Multitracking soon became the norm for recording. In the 1960’s. The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Phil Spector maximized multitrack recording. Without Les Paul’s pioneering efforts, it may have taken a lot longer.