Track Listing

1. Brazil
2. Hip-Billy Boogie
3. Caravan
4. Sleep
5. Lady of Spain
6. Lover
7. Man on the Flying Trapeze
8. By the Light of the Silvery Moon
9. What Is This Thing Called Love?
10. Nola
11. South
12. Whispering
13. Tiger Rag
14. Running Wild
15. World Is Waiting for the Sunrise
16. Meet Mister Callaghan
17. Little Rock Getaway
18. Deep in the Blues
19. St. Louis Blues
20. Walkin' and Whistlin' Blues
21. I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
22. Jazz Me Blues
23. Mockin' Bird Hill
24. Carioca
25. Goofus
26. Josephine
27. Bey Bye Blues
28. Vaya Con Dios (May God Be with You)
29. Jealous
30. How High the Moon

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20885 in Music
• Released on: 1998-02-20
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Album Description
1997 EMI reissue of 1990 Capitol compilation featuring 30 ofthe greatest tracks by American guitar hero & his singing partner, including 'Brazil', 'Hip Billy Boogie', 'Jealous', and 'How High The Moon'.

Customer Reviews

Great CD if you're a fan of Les Paul & Mary Ford
This CD has all of the songs that were my favorites by Les Paul & Mary Ford, especially "How High the Moon". I had the pleasure of seeing them in person at a local music store demonstration for Gibson guitars back in 1959. They asked for requests and I asked for "How High the Moon". Les didn't know if he could remember it all, but he decided to try it anyway, especially since it had less multi-track effects than some of their other tunes. (Of course Mary had some trouble getting her other 5 voices to be heard) It came out really well anyway (as you would expect), and it was a thrill that they played it at my request. I would recommend this CD to any fan of theirs. I don't think you'll find as many of their hits in one place on any other CD. "Tennessee Waltz" is the only one I can think of that isn't in this collection. If you buy this CD, I know you'll enjoy it.

For those who admire jazz
I bought this CD mainly because I have enjoyed the duet's "16 Most Requested Songs (1958-1961)", which is a superb CD. Sadly, this 30 song collection left me rather frustrated. True, there are 30 fantastic tracks on this CD covering the "golden" era of Les Paul and Mary Ford (1949-1955); yet it means the quality of the remastered tracks is unsteady and stylistically the music appeals to jazz listeners, rather than pop. Moreover, I was disappointed also because out of these 30 tracks only 9 contain Mary's vocal. Also the "booklet" doesn't include any information, just a track listing.

If you admire the jazz side of Les Paul, then you would enjoy it very much. But I'm going to look for something more pop-orientated and with more vocal contribution from Mary, maybe more of their Columbia period (1957-1963).

Master Works
I love Les Paul and Mary Ford. I grew up on their music. In 35 years, I have yet to hear another guitar player so innovative, ground breaking, inspiring and exciting. I don't think there are many voices as rich and velvety as Mary's. This compilation has almost all of their "good stuff". Even today, their tracks sound crisp and fresh and bright. I like to listen to these tunes just to lift my spirits. You just about can't be depressed or low if you listen to songs like "The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise". Very highly recommended.